Emile (2003) 6.3
In a story weaving the past and present together, Emile seeks redemption from the family he abandoned. Director:Carl BessaiWriter:Carl Bessai |
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Emile (2003) 6.3
In a story weaving the past and present together, Emile seeks redemption from the family he abandoned. Director:Carl BessaiWriter:Carl Bessai |
|
| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Ian McKellen | ... | ||
| Deborah Kara Unger | ... |
Nadia /
Nadia's Mother
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Theo Crane | ... |
Maria /
Nadia (age 10)
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| Tygh Runyan | ... |
Freddy
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| Chris William Martin | ... |
Carl
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| Ian Tracey | ... |
Tom
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Janet Wright | ... |
Alice
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Nancy Sivak | ... |
Superintendent
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Frank Borg | ... |
Taxi Driver
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As a young man, Emile left his Saskatchewan farm life behind to head to university in Britain, with his brothers, the older brusque and controlling Carl and the younger sensitive Freddy, left to run the family farm. This move was despite Freddy showing greater potential and thus probably benefiting more from academic life. However, Carl wouldn't allow Freddy to leave because of his mechanical expertise which was required to tend to the farm equipment. Emile vowed to return, but never did, which affected Freddy the most. Now in early retirement, Emile, still living in Britain, travels to Victoria, Canada to accept an honorary degree from the university there. In Victoria, he decides to stay with now deceased Carl's grown daughter Nadia, and Nadia's ten year old daughter Maria. Emile had never made any attempt over the years to connect with Nadia or Maria, who only really know him by name. On the surface to Nadia, Emile's visit is purely a need on his part for a free bed while in ... Written by Huggo
This is definitely a character based movie. As such it's never a total waste to watch Ian McKellan work - playing someone trying to come to terms with the difficulties and poor choices in his past, and Deborah Unger truly nails her character - a woman who is bruised and bitter but determined not to give up on life. It's always a treat to see a movie filmed in Canada that doesn't pretend to be somewhere else. Alas the resolution seemed a little too easy and contrived, and I found the soundtrack monotonous and intrusive.