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Wilby Wonderful

  • 20042004
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Wilby Wonderful (2004)
Trailer for Wilby Wonderful
Play trailer2:34
2 Videos
4 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Romance

A day-in-the-life dark comedy concerning a group of islanders, their respective secrets, and one man's plan to kill himself quietly.A day-in-the-life dark comedy concerning a group of islanders, their respective secrets, and one man's plan to kill himself quietly.A day-in-the-life dark comedy concerning a group of islanders, their respective secrets, and one man's plan to kill himself quietly.

IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Daniel MacIvor
  • Writer
    • Daniel MacIvor
  • Stars
    • James Allodi
    • Callum Keith Rennie
    • Elliot Page
Top credits
  • Director
    • Daniel MacIvor
  • Writer
    • Daniel MacIvor
  • Stars
    • James Allodi
    • Callum Keith Rennie
    • Elliot Page
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 26User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 6 nominations

    Videos2

    Wilby Wonderful
    Trailer 2:34
    Wilby Wonderful
    The Watchlist With Ellen Page
    Video 1:43
    The Watchlist With Ellen Page

    Photos

    Wilby Wonderful (2004)
    Wilby Wonderful (2004)
    Sandra Oh and Elliot Page in Wilby Wonderful (2004)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Allodi
    James Allodi
    • Dan Jarvisas Dan Jarvis
    Callum Keith Rennie
    Callum Keith Rennie
    • Duck MacDonaldas Duck MacDonald
    Elliot Page
    Elliot Page
    • Emily Andersonas Emily Anderson
    Rebecca Jenkins
    Rebecca Jenkins
    • Sandra Andersonas Sandra Anderson
    Sandra Oh
    Sandra Oh
    • Carol Frenchas Carol French
    Paul Gross
    Paul Gross
    • Buddy Frenchas Buddy French
    Marcella Grimaux
    Marcella Grimaux
    • Mackenzie Fisheras Mackenzie Fisher
    Daniel MacIvor
    Daniel MacIvor
    • Stan Lastmanas Stan Lastman
    Terri Sanderson
    • Reporteras Reporter
    Chris Saunderson
    • Photographeras Photographer
    Caleb Langille
    • Tayloras Taylor
    Patrick Keeler
    Patrick Keeler
    • Stuartas Stuart
    Maury Chaykin
    Maury Chaykin
    • Mayor Brent Fisheras Mayor Brent Fisher
    Chett Buchanan
    • Golfing Businessman #1as Golfing Businessman #1
    Mike Goodfellow
    • Golfing Businessman #2as Golfing Businessman #2
    Mary Ellen MacLean
    • Ireneas Irene
    Ed Cayer
    • Lotto Manas Lotto Man
    Devon Chisholm
    • Jennieas Jennie
    • Director
      • Daniel MacIvor
    • Writer
      • Daniel MacIvor
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Wilby is the name of a small island in the Canadian Maritimes and the name of the main town located on the island. According to residents, there are two types of people who live on Wilby: islanders (people who were born on Wilby) and non-islanders. Among the townsfolk of Wilby are: single mom and recently returned islander Sandra Anderson, who was known as the girl in town with the reputation, something that has not changed in her adult years; Sandra's teen-aged daughter, Emily, who doesn't want to end up like her mother but can only think about making out with her new boyfriend; Buddy French, the local police officer who is having unspoken marital problems with his non-islander wife, Carol, the town realtor whose controlling behavior is pushing her and others around her on the verge of a nervous breakdown; the Mayor, Brent Fisher, who is secretly planning for his life post politics; dyslexic Duck McDonald, the town handyman; and recently separated non-islander Dan Jarvis who, because of activities at the island's seaside hangout called "The Watch", wants to kill himself if only people would leave him alone. As the townsfolk interact with each other, most are looking for the same thing as summed up by Duck to Emily in speaking about her mother: "She wants to love and be loved, just like all of us". —Huggo
    • wife
    • female
    • bra
    • lust
    • slut
    • 110 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Everybody gets a second chance.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Paul Gross' two children Hannah and Jack Gross appear in the background of the movie.
    • Quotes

      Buddy French: I like Mark Twain. You know what else he said? "Faith is believing something you know isn't true."

    • Crazy credits
      Movie title is rolled out on a festival banner on a bridge.
    • Soundtracks
      Give Me The Chance To Fall
      Performed by Reg Vermue (as Gentleman Reg)

      Written by Reg Vermue

      Courtesy of Three Gut Records

    User reviews26

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    What I Love About Canadian Film
    Maybe it is just that I am a Californian and not a Canadian, but as an outsider, I have often loved Canadian Film. This is a prime example of what many Canadians seem to do that most US directors do not: take time to tell a story, not be afraid to show the dark side of characters, and trust actors to so what they do best.

    I saw this film at OUTFEST, and was moved by a gay film that puts homosexuality in context: all the main characters of this film seek love and validation. All do it in different ways. All feel that they have been untrue to themselves, somehow, in this search for love. All seem to feel somehow thwarted by their past (or maybe, in the case of Sandra Oh's character, the most recent past), as well, in this hunt. The struggle of gay people to receive respect AND the love they deserve has been placed squarely into a larger context (we all have this same struggle for identity and validation); and I love this aspect of the film.

    The film revolves around a few main characters: the man who comically tries to kill himself over and over, only to be interrupted at the most (in)opportune times; the painter who stalks him throughout the film, but who may also be his only chance at love; the real estate agent and her cop husband whose ideals have somehow drifted apart; and a hometown girl who has recently returned to town with her adolescent (and sexually coveted daughter, perhaps returning because of her sexual antics everywhere else they have lived. While each of these characters is certainly a "type," and has their moment of stereotypical comic relief, I was impressed at how director Daniel MacIvor showed the roots in reality for each stereotype, and allowed each Jungian type to have depth and a moment that ran against expectation.

    The cast, as well, was fabulous. Sandra Oh is amazing at playing a together woman with another side. Rebecca Jenkins showed real sorrow beneath smuttiness. Even the actors playing the gay characters had moments of real transcendence, even though the suffering man in the closet and the lonely man chasing him theme has been played out before.

    People walked out of this screening, so the film is obviously not for everyone. For me, however, it was a true tribute to the underlying humanity that brings messed up people together for the highest good.
    helpful•14
    4
    • gweatherford
    • Jul 10, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 9, 2005 (Spain)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Вилби Великолепный
    • Filming locations
      • Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Mongrel Media
      • Palpable Productions
      • Da Da Kamera
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • CA$2,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,749
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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