Gaz Bar Blues (2003)

This is the story of Mr. Brochu, whose friends like to call "the Boss". He runs his gas station the best he can and tries to stay happy no matter what happens. This movie relates all the ... See full summary »

Director:

Louis Bélanger

Writer:

Louis Bélanger

Stars:

Serge Thériault, Gilles Renaud, Sébastien Delorme

7 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Serge Thériault	...	François Brochu
Gilles Renaud	...	Gaston Savard
Sébastien Delorme	...	Réjean Brochu
Danny Gilmore	...	Guy Brochu
Maxime Dumontier	...	Alain Brochu
Fanny Mallette	...	Nathalie Brochu
Gaston Caron	...	Jos
Gaston Lepage	...	Normand Patry
Daniel Gadouas	...	Yves Michaud
Claude Legault	...	Ti-Pit
Réal Bossé	...	Nelson
Yves Bélanger	...	Coyote
Roger Léger	...	Claude
Vincent Bilodeau	...	Mononc' Boivin
Daniel Brière	...	Inspecteur Gobeil

Storyline

This is the story of Mr. Brochu, whose friends like to call "the Boss". He runs his gas station the best he can and tries to stay happy no matter what happens. This movie relates all the small tragedies surrounding the gaz bar, such as hold-ups, competition from the big companies invading the neighbourhood, and the fact that is sons don't seem to be interested in the gas station. Furthermore, "The Boss" is starting to have Parkinson's disease...

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Plot Keywords:

gas station | bar | hold up | police car | armed robbery | 

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

French English

Release Date:

July 2005 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Le début de la fin

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Coop Vidéo de Montréal, Les Productions 23 Inc., Téléfilm Canada

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min 115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The snack truck feature a box of Passion Flakie cakes. These cakes were branded under that name only in 1993; but the movie is set in 1989.

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Soundtracks

"Summertime"
Written by George Gershwin

User Reviews

An old meeting place revisited...

Gaz Bar Blues is a good movie, maybe with some dull parts on the way but reminescent of how great these "full service" gas stations were in the past... And how the past clash with present realities...

The "Boss", Serge Theriault, wants to keep the business going on despite a developping Parkinson disease, threatening competition from Self serve stations and how to transfer his business to his three boys. But there's a problem: one wants to go to Berlin to witness the fall of the Wall (we're in 1989), the other wants to play music and the younger one wants to give a try, despite the fact he's 14...

The Gaz Bar is also a meeting place of all kins here, conflicting egos from a quarter-begging tramp to a not-so-stupid blind person, along with a petty thief who uses the gas bar sink as a toilet bowl, a desperate loser who never had a chance with a girl and some wise cracking employees... Add along the cheap customers, the thieves committing hold-ups and the annoying Champlain concession inspector and you got a fine movie here...

Well written, a bit long in some parts and excellent acting. Plus reminescence that the story is based in Quebec city (though it was shot in Montreal), we see the old NHL logo of the Nordiques...

Fact: Champlain was a real gas bar chain in the past, which was bought later by Imperial Oil (Esso), and used to give Expo 67 drinking glasses with each fill-up !

So enjoy the meeting place !