So this is the most accessible of all of Guy Maddin's movies. It has a better blend of humour and seriousness than some of his other attempts.
Plus there are glass legs of beer to look forward to. Guy Maddin's movies are a unique Canadian treasure. They are stylized as old movies similar to very old German mountaineering movies. His movies make use of a lot of silent film era tropes and often tell stories particular to his Manitoban town.
What helps this movie excel, where some of his other attempts fall flat is that the main character for this movie is not the moody character, but rather the fun slick salesman, Mark McKinney.
Lady Helen Port-Huntley (Isabella Rossellini), is holding a world-wide radio competition for the saddest music to sell her beer as this movie is set in era when American prohibition was ending and her Canadian monopoly was about to end.
Contestants from all around the world show up to compete and old family feuds and grievances also come into play. Maria de Medeiros has an excellent turn as well as Narcissa.
Plus there are glass legs of beer to look forward to. Guy Maddin's movies are a unique Canadian treasure. They are stylized as old movies similar to very old German mountaineering movies. His movies make use of a lot of silent film era tropes and often tell stories particular to his Manitoban town.
What helps this movie excel, where some of his other attempts fall flat is that the main character for this movie is not the moody character, but rather the fun slick salesman, Mark McKinney.
Lady Helen Port-Huntley (Isabella Rossellini), is holding a world-wide radio competition for the saddest music to sell her beer as this movie is set in era when American prohibition was ending and her Canadian monopoly was about to end.
Contestants from all around the world show up to compete and old family feuds and grievances also come into play. Maria de Medeiros has an excellent turn as well as Narcissa.