Filmed in Nova Scotia this small independent Canadian film is set in the fictitious community of Wilby, population 4200, the main town on Wilby Island. In the dialog they occasionally make references to distinguish those who originated on the island from those who came there from outside. It is that kind of small community where everyone knows everyone else, and some get entangled in the lives of others.
There are several simultaneous stories here. One is about the town cop whose mother had just died, they need to sell her place. His wife is a real estate agent and very high strung, it seems their relationship has gone stale and needs repair.
Another is about a story about to break in the small newspaper, about an area on the island called the "watch", supposedly becoming overrun with the "bad" element, including homosexuals. One of the men in town is worried about that, and in fact we see him trying to kill himself several different times in dark comedic ways.
The town mayor is thinking of retiring soon, he seems to have a great interest in this "watch" matter, and may be illegally involved in trying to have a golf course built there.
Then there is the single mom coming back to the island to try to open the old restaurant while her teen daughter is struggling with "coming of age" as the teenage object of her affection just keeps trying to get her in the sack.
Overall a very entertaining 90 minutes, the characters are well-drawn and the acting is top-notch. I was drawn to see it because of Ellen Page (really 16), it was one of her earlier movies and she plays the teenage girl. There are other experienced actors such as Maury Chaykin (the mayor), Sandra Oh (the real estate agent), and Brit Callum Keith Rennie, who lately we have come to enjoy on the TV series "The Firm".
There are several simultaneous stories here. One is about the town cop whose mother had just died, they need to sell her place. His wife is a real estate agent and very high strung, it seems their relationship has gone stale and needs repair.
Another is about a story about to break in the small newspaper, about an area on the island called the "watch", supposedly becoming overrun with the "bad" element, including homosexuals. One of the men in town is worried about that, and in fact we see him trying to kill himself several different times in dark comedic ways.
The town mayor is thinking of retiring soon, he seems to have a great interest in this "watch" matter, and may be illegally involved in trying to have a golf course built there.
Then there is the single mom coming back to the island to try to open the old restaurant while her teen daughter is struggling with "coming of age" as the teenage object of her affection just keeps trying to get her in the sack.
Overall a very entertaining 90 minutes, the characters are well-drawn and the acting is top-notch. I was drawn to see it because of Ellen Page (really 16), it was one of her earlier movies and she plays the teenage girl. There are other experienced actors such as Maury Chaykin (the mayor), Sandra Oh (the real estate agent), and Brit Callum Keith Rennie, who lately we have come to enjoy on the TV series "The Firm".