This study of relationships within a dysfunctional family has all the elements of an overwrought soap opera. After viewing the film, I considered that there was an overabundance of drama, with many plot developments straining credulity. Having said that, I was unaware of these flaws while watching the film. Astonishing performances raise it above the material. Young actress Tatiana Maslany gives a compelling performance as Ruby, a 13 year old desperately in need of parental guidance. Abandoned by her mother, left with a father emotionally unable to be that provider, Ruby flounders. She makes numerous bids to grow up too fast, flirting with danger and tragedy results. Yet amidst much grown up and juvenile angst, there's a core of tenderness at the heart of the complex relationships, a ray of hope that suggests this family may be down but not altogether out. The well seasoned performers portray this subtlety effectively, with cinematic rather than soap opera results.
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cdunbar-33 September 2010
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SnoopyStyle31 May 2015Ruby (Tatiana Maslany) lives with her younger sister Rose and her ex-NHL player father Ray (Shawn Doyle) who lost everything after a drug conviction in the States after one game. Her mother Lillian takes off to seek fame in L.A. The girls are obsessed with going to Disneyland. Ray's best friend Stuart is a paraplegic from a hunting accident with Ray. She falls for fellow student Will. After finding her father having sex with gym teacher James, she becomes more and more adventurous sexually.
Tatiana Maslany is great and Shawn Doyle is pretty good although she's a little old for the part. The subject matter makes it hard for a young actress to play the part. This is a great showcase for Tatiana and she has some great scenes. The story takes a couple turns designed to shock more than anything naturally flowing. The movie is filled with odd unlikeable characters. I'm not sure what the tone is suppose to be. It's quirky and fun sometimes. Then it's odd and dark. The movie meanders and is a little uneven. -
johnmerzetti19 August 2011I enjoyed most parts of this movie. The acting was very good, especially from Tatiana Maslany (who played Ruby).
I do have to say that a few of the key plot points appeared very much contrived and took away from a very good story.
When Ruby discovers her dad having sex with another man, I didn't buy it. He has two small girls at home and brings a guy home (fair enough) but then they have sex in the living room?! Why wouldn't they use the bedroom? If the reason were because they were drunk and horny, there was no setup for that.
When Ruby and Will have sex at the party and there is blood, no one is quite sure where the blood came from (and there was lots of it). Will says (something like), "I must have cut my foreskin." Must have cut my foreskin?! I think someone would know if they cut their foreskin ... very painful!
The scene with "Uncle" Stuart, when they are having sex, is uncomfortable. Fair enough, it is supposed to make you feel uneasy since it is an older man coming on to his friend's underage daughter; however, I did not buy the interaction between the two of them in this scene. I don't know what it is, but it didn't gel with me at all.
As I said, I enjoyed most parts of the movie. It seems that the sex scenes were where it fell apart for me. If these were edited a bit better (or perhaps re-scripted altogether) it would make for one hell of a good movie! -
Skylerbaird30 January 2010Now I am not a professional critic but I have seen many freelance and independent films. Even worked on a few myself. lighting was unrealistic at times. Also if whoever came up with the bright idea of making a Child and gay Porno wanted to help they should not have showed up to work. I understand aspiring actors and movie directors would like to create shock and awe but let's do it for the right reasons because we can change the world not make everyone gag... Normally I wouldn't be so critical but this was quite possibly the worst movie I've seen my entire life and yes i did see the blare witch project.
We had a group of what I would consider About 10 fairly liberal individuals and almost half of us walked out.... The others wish they had.
That being said there is GREAT directing potential! The talents and abilities of all involved will change the world. I am sure of that... It's all about how they decide to change it, for better or for worse. -
annemchandler17 April 2016This movie was far too graphic. There were not any warnings regarding the content. I began watching only as it was filmed in Newfoundland. It got progressively too explicit to watch. Should never have been televised. Should not have been rated E.Should not have been on during the hours that it was. Appalled that I recognized and currently watch some of the cast in other television programs. I understand that acting is a craft and actors require a pay cheque. There was not any talent displayed in this movie. I am shocked. Just hope that this movie does not live long in my head. I will not be watching that channel again. I chose not to watch any longer - grateful I had a choice to watch another channel.
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chip_p23 January 2010Ruby and Rose's mother runs away to the shining lights of America hoping to become an actress. Set in Newfoundland, this movie follows the painful moments of these two girls and their father in the aftermath of this event. The girls' father Ray is a washed up hockey player who talks about the glowing hope of taking his daughters to Disneyland but cannot get a visa to the US because of a drug conviction. Ruby is in her late teens and is awakening sexually--in several directions. Ray struggles with this and also his own sex life in the wake of his wife's departure. A colorful cast of supporting actors and the starkness of life in a cold and hard Newfoundland coastal town with a deep intensity and surprises at every turn make this one that may go from festivals like Sundance to wider distribution.
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phuckracistgop11 February 2024Okay this was supposed to be a movie with a message regarding adolescence coming of age. I can get that part, but the part that I could not fathom, was the father being arrested and going to jail for beating up a grown man for statutory rape of his 13 year old daughter. Some script writer and movie directors really need a reality check on the laws of the land. Because that nonsense took a decent movie and turned it into a bit of a farce at the end.
It did however allow the father to redeem himself with his wayward daughter with I guess would be a trip to Disneyland if that latest BS arrest didn't blow his hard earned pardon. -
felucy-3349931 August 2018Tatiana is a wonderful actress, I love everything she does