Mr. Viral was an energetic roller coaster ride from start to finish. The film takes a look at the reality of the ad industry. It also addresses how social media has not only influenced the way we communicate, but the actuality of what holds people's attention in today's world. Humor, though it may be dark is your only saviour. Jefferson Brown(Colin) is compelling in that he doesn't make obvious choices; meaning that you don't know what he is going to do. As an audience member I find that exhilarating. Christian Lloyd(Andy) is brilliant with his comedic timing! Alex Appel(Stacy) gracefully finds moments of comedy through to drama. In one moment she will have you laughing, in another tears will be welled up in your eyes. With a great cast, great cinematography; Mr. Viral is a great film.
6 Reviews
Well worth looking for!
scootz3 October 2012
I saw this movie recently at the Calgary International Film Festival. I had read a little about the story, and it seemed like a fun movie to check out..I was right! Billed as a dark comedy satire, the movie concerned an ad agency at a crossroads. The new creative team is poised to take over the reins of the agency's ad campaigns with their modern but annoying strategies for success, leaving the old head of creative in a tiny insignificant role at the company. Success seems easy for the new team... or is it? A battle between the crass young ad men and the seasoned veteran heats up, and all bets are off..
This was a great little ride, and went places that you wouldn't expect from the beginning of the movie. Some drama, some mystery, some comedy, and a little sex... what else could you ask for? Definitely worth catching when it gets to your town!
This was a great little ride, and went places that you wouldn't expect from the beginning of the movie. Some drama, some mystery, some comedy, and a little sex... what else could you ask for? Definitely worth catching when it gets to your town!
Mr. Viral is fast-paced fun - full of twisted internet innuendo
penelopesymons18 October 2012
I saw an early screening of Mr. Viral in Toronto. Several audience members said afterwards "It doesn't even look like a Canadian film".
Mr. Viral's excellent camera work, original music score, sound mixing, editing and visual effects add hugely to its high-end professionalism. This feature-length film really has the aura of a big-budget Hollywood movie. That's simply amazing! What pleasantly surprised me also was the exceptionally high standard of acting by Canadians whose names are all too little known beyond our borders. Even the bit parts - masses of them - were great. And the whole show was so delightfully fast-paced and zany that any small acting lapses simply slipped by.
Mr. Viral's script has satire and innuendo and often-earthy humour in abundance. But there is pathos too; which really makes one feel for, and with, its characters. Its three separate plot lines demand concentration from viewers; but no more than is needed to watch intelligent TV shows like ER, West Wing, LA Law, or House.
It's as clever as any of those, but much funnier. Its outrageously suggestive plot lines are all the more amusing because their innuendos are in the minds of viewers, but not "in their face" on-screen.
If the director and producers can make so much of their first feature film with so little funding, then just imagine what they could achieve next time with a bigger budget!
Mr. Viral's excellent camera work, original music score, sound mixing, editing and visual effects add hugely to its high-end professionalism. This feature-length film really has the aura of a big-budget Hollywood movie. That's simply amazing! What pleasantly surprised me also was the exceptionally high standard of acting by Canadians whose names are all too little known beyond our borders. Even the bit parts - masses of them - were great. And the whole show was so delightfully fast-paced and zany that any small acting lapses simply slipped by.
Mr. Viral's script has satire and innuendo and often-earthy humour in abundance. But there is pathos too; which really makes one feel for, and with, its characters. Its three separate plot lines demand concentration from viewers; but no more than is needed to watch intelligent TV shows like ER, West Wing, LA Law, or House.
It's as clever as any of those, but much funnier. Its outrageously suggestive plot lines are all the more amusing because their innuendos are in the minds of viewers, but not "in their face" on-screen.
If the director and producers can make so much of their first feature film with so little funding, then just imagine what they could achieve next time with a bigger budget!
A cautionary tale of marketing gone awry.
Kimmagee-506-53286618 October 2012
A truly odd ( in the best sense) film about an odd ( in every sense) industry. As someone married to a marketing guy, I thought I'd seen it all. This film had some very surprising plot twists that I definitely did not see coming. In a world of predictability, Mr. Viral keep me guessing. Some very interesting characters- well written and well preformed.
I appreciated the Toronto and Montreal locations , and the bright colour and effects added to the chaotic and at times surreal world that the film reveals.
It's at times funny, and at times disturbing- sometimes both at the same time.
I appreciated the Toronto and Montreal locations , and the bright colour and effects added to the chaotic and at times surreal world that the film reveals.
It's at times funny, and at times disturbing- sometimes both at the same time.
How far should you go for Mr. Viral?
Forgotten_Conscience_Productions15 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
It goes without saying that I see a lot of films, except for the fact that I just finished saying it. I've seen some really good films, some really bad films, and films that fall somewhere in between. Being a filmmaker I have seen films that have started from scratch and had trouble getting traction with an audience, I have seen films go from concept to production and then disappear into oblivion. I've even had occasions where films have gone on to do really well. It's hard to tell what audiences will react to, whether positive or negative, but there are certain fundamental things which we all generally react positively to.
Mr. Viral understands this quite well. After all, it's a film about marketing. More specifically it's about viral marketing and the effectiveness of promoting things on the internet. It's also written and directed by a man who spent years of his life in the marketing industry, the great Alex Boothby. I would be disappointed if he didn't understand the basics of impulse control and how to manipulate it. What's interesting is that as much as the film is about that side of ourselves and the potential dangers that giving in to such impulses, for profit or otherwise, the filmmakers clearly attempt to prey upon some of those basic desires within its audience as well.
For all the sex and violence and exploitation that a lot of the characters go through or have done to them, the film itself is not gratuitous. So much of what goes on that would turn the film from an R rated film to an NC-17 rating is off screen or implied more than anything. The characters get more and more depraved as the story moves forward, yet we as the audience are never entirely given a full view into just how far things have gone. Which is exactly what most filmmakers should do, particularly a former marketing guy turned filmmaker.
The story moves along quickly enough that you're always wondering what's going to happen next and yet you spend more than enough time with each character that you actually care and kind of worry about what will happen to them. Even as some of the characters become less and less likable, you still care enough about them to worry about what they have gotten themselves into. This is great as well because, having read one of the earlier scripts, I wasn't sure that they were going to achieve that. After seeing the finished product though I can see that they clearly had a vision and a focus that I didn't really plug into at the time.
What's interesting to me as well is that I can actually see this film being a much bigger movie if it couldn't be done. And this is not said to detract or to be critical the film or the people involved, the actors and filmmakers did a fantastic job and I really do hope that this launches their careers, but in numerous places I could see characters being played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, or Mary Steenburgen or Wallace Shawn. I hope that the people involved take that as a compliment, because it's intended to be. This isn't a film that comes off like a bunch of guys with a video camera trying to make it in the industry. It comes off like a group of filmmakers with the potential to handle a big Hollywood project. I have no doubt that when it goes to the Calgary film festival and beyond it will be enjoyed by all.
How far should you go for Mr. Viral? As far as you can take it. This film is going to turn some heads, and most of the heads are going to turn to the filmmakers and ask... what's next?
Mr. Viral understands this quite well. After all, it's a film about marketing. More specifically it's about viral marketing and the effectiveness of promoting things on the internet. It's also written and directed by a man who spent years of his life in the marketing industry, the great Alex Boothby. I would be disappointed if he didn't understand the basics of impulse control and how to manipulate it. What's interesting is that as much as the film is about that side of ourselves and the potential dangers that giving in to such impulses, for profit or otherwise, the filmmakers clearly attempt to prey upon some of those basic desires within its audience as well.
For all the sex and violence and exploitation that a lot of the characters go through or have done to them, the film itself is not gratuitous. So much of what goes on that would turn the film from an R rated film to an NC-17 rating is off screen or implied more than anything. The characters get more and more depraved as the story moves forward, yet we as the audience are never entirely given a full view into just how far things have gone. Which is exactly what most filmmakers should do, particularly a former marketing guy turned filmmaker.
The story moves along quickly enough that you're always wondering what's going to happen next and yet you spend more than enough time with each character that you actually care and kind of worry about what will happen to them. Even as some of the characters become less and less likable, you still care enough about them to worry about what they have gotten themselves into. This is great as well because, having read one of the earlier scripts, I wasn't sure that they were going to achieve that. After seeing the finished product though I can see that they clearly had a vision and a focus that I didn't really plug into at the time.
What's interesting to me as well is that I can actually see this film being a much bigger movie if it couldn't be done. And this is not said to detract or to be critical the film or the people involved, the actors and filmmakers did a fantastic job and I really do hope that this launches their careers, but in numerous places I could see characters being played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, or Mary Steenburgen or Wallace Shawn. I hope that the people involved take that as a compliment, because it's intended to be. This isn't a film that comes off like a bunch of guys with a video camera trying to make it in the industry. It comes off like a group of filmmakers with the potential to handle a big Hollywood project. I have no doubt that when it goes to the Calgary film festival and beyond it will be enjoyed by all.
How far should you go for Mr. Viral? As far as you can take it. This film is going to turn some heads, and most of the heads are going to turn to the filmmakers and ask... what's next?
Awesome-ness !!!
baricfilm-127 September 2012
Solid film with a terrific cast -- a visually enterprising experience! Right from the start ... The drama begins with intensity and the film journeys in a non-stop ride that goes on and on.
Once in a while a film comes along that thrills, excites and entertains ... Mr Viral is that film. The cast is an eclectic mix of talented artists with a flare for the sensational.
Mr Viral takes you on a journey that alerts the senses to the painful frailties of humanity, banked up against the electronic "world wide web" -- that connects us all!
A FUN MUST SEE !!! Alex Boothby shines in the directors chair in his debut feature film.
Once in a while a film comes along that thrills, excites and entertains ... Mr Viral is that film. The cast is an eclectic mix of talented artists with a flare for the sensational.
Mr Viral takes you on a journey that alerts the senses to the painful frailties of humanity, banked up against the electronic "world wide web" -- that connects us all!
A FUN MUST SEE !!! Alex Boothby shines in the directors chair in his debut feature film.
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