Population 436 (2006) (V)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Michelle Maxwell MacLaren

Writer (WGA):

Michael Kingston (written by)

Release Date:

8 September 2006 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The residents of Rockwell Falls are dying for you to visit...

Plot:

A census-taker (Sisto) is sent to investigate why a certain small town has had the same population -- 436 residents -- for the last 100 years.

Plot Keywords:

Small Town | Totalitarian | Partial Female Nudity | Conspiracy | Isolation

Cast

Leigh Enns	...	Kathy Most
Susan Kelso	...	Nurse Greaver
Rick Skene	...	Ray Jacobs
Fred Durst	...	Deputy Bobby Caine
David Fox	...	Dr. Harold James Greaver
Peter Jordan	...	Minister Hiller
Charlotte Sullivan	...	Courtney Lovett
R.H. Thomson	...	Sheriff Colcutt
Frank Adamson	...	Mayor Grateman
Reva Timbers	...	Amanda Jacobs
Monica Parker	...	Belma
Jeremy Sisto	...	Steve Kady
Lora Schroeder	...	Gas station attendant
Winston Sisto	...	Dog
Martin Trudel	...	Red

MPAA:

Rated R for brief sexuality and violence.

Runtime:

USA:92 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R | Germany:16 | Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-15 | Singapore:M18 | UK:15 | South Korea:18

Filming Locations:

Roseisle, Manitoba, Canada

Company:

Pariah

Goofs:

Continuity: When Steve meets Dr Greaver and follows him into his office, the Dr is wearing his white coat. He takes a phone call still wearing the white coat. When he hangs up the phone and stands up he is wearing his suit and the white coat is nowhere to be seen.

Movie Connections:

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Solid film with "subliminal" message for some of us

I think this movie could have been better but it's hard to say exactly how. The acting was less than stupendous but I can't find too much to criticize. I was never bored and the ending (including alternate) was unpredictable. I didn't find it too scary except for one scene that caught me off guard; a pivotal point in the movie.

Two CGI flaws stood out in scenes where it was probably used to cut costs. Keep an eye on the moving Jeep and study the town in aerial views. The latter may require a high resolution TV or projector. A few plot holes were adequately explained by paranoia but it's difficult to be that isolated in the lower 48 now.

Under different circumstances Rockwell Falls could indeed be "the most perfect place on Earth," meaning a picturesque town that isn't destined to get overrun. There are safe and sane ways to stop population growth and I think the whole world should encourage that. Whether or not you agree, I can recommend this film as more than light entertainment.