An enjoyable and entertaining teenage drama set in 1960 which doesn't reach any great heights but doesn't need to. Story of course revolves about the 45 rpm music disk and explores teenage love/lust without anything being blatantly sexual and teenage fascination for new wave music which hits the radio waves. By the sound of things, this film has not been big on release and publicity but is definitely worth seeing, depending on your age and status, others will like it better. didn't the guy who played George also play Sitting Bull in bury my Heart at Wounded Knee? Screenplay and script are fine, this is a fairly low budget film but don't let that put you off. Definitely one for DVD and not the cinema
5 Reviews
So that's what a monster looks like.
SteveSkafte15 July 2009
I've had the pleasure of viewing this film before it achieves what I can only hope will be a larger audience.
It's hard to find a film about younger people that no only has a good cast, but a naturally awkward one. The stars of this film are neither especially pretty, nor very self-confident. Nor could they possibly be. Jordan Gavaris plays Parry, a boy who wants nothing more than to escape from his small northern Canadian town. His friend, Luke (Justine Banszky) wants to get away as well, but for different reasons. She'd be happy just to be anywhere else. They've been each other's only friends for quite some time, but things change when another girl comes to town. Debbie (MacKenzie Porter) catches Parry's eye, perhaps partially because she's the first girl to much notice him. At least, the first overtly feminine girl. But that's the basic set-up of the film. I'll leave the rest for you to discover on your own.
Dave Schultz, the writer/director, doesn't put a lot of style into his work. That is, if style is taken to mean anything that detracts from normal realism. That's where the cinematographer falls a little short, however. I feel as if more could be done to improve the photographic appearance of the overall picture. But in a time when most films look less impressive, that's not a big complaint. The writing is stunning, and very human. The dialogue never surprises more than people themselves would.
I can't say enough good things about the acting in "45 RPM". I picked up this film on a whim from my local library, and was more than pleasantly surprised at the great performances. Although there are several well-known faces (Michael Madsen, Kim Coates, August Schellenberg), who impressed me most was Justine Banszky. Her portrayal of Luke was truly wonderful. And with the thousands of films I've seen, that means something.
Watch this, if you can find it.
It's hard to find a film about younger people that no only has a good cast, but a naturally awkward one. The stars of this film are neither especially pretty, nor very self-confident. Nor could they possibly be. Jordan Gavaris plays Parry, a boy who wants nothing more than to escape from his small northern Canadian town. His friend, Luke (Justine Banszky) wants to get away as well, but for different reasons. She'd be happy just to be anywhere else. They've been each other's only friends for quite some time, but things change when another girl comes to town. Debbie (MacKenzie Porter) catches Parry's eye, perhaps partially because she's the first girl to much notice him. At least, the first overtly feminine girl. But that's the basic set-up of the film. I'll leave the rest for you to discover on your own.
Dave Schultz, the writer/director, doesn't put a lot of style into his work. That is, if style is taken to mean anything that detracts from normal realism. That's where the cinematographer falls a little short, however. I feel as if more could be done to improve the photographic appearance of the overall picture. But in a time when most films look less impressive, that's not a big complaint. The writing is stunning, and very human. The dialogue never surprises more than people themselves would.
I can't say enough good things about the acting in "45 RPM". I picked up this film on a whim from my local library, and was more than pleasantly surprised at the great performances. Although there are several well-known faces (Michael Madsen, Kim Coates, August Schellenberg), who impressed me most was Justine Banszky. Her portrayal of Luke was truly wonderful. And with the thousands of films I've seen, that means something.
Watch this, if you can find it.
Fantastic. Well worth watching.
NateWatchesCoolMovies8 March 2016
45 RPM is a wonderful indie drama that takes place in rural 1950's Saskatchewan under big Canadian skies, focusing on rebellious young lad Parry Tender (Jordan Gavaris, superb), his struggles as he begins to climb the long ladder of growing up, and his first conflicted glimpses into the realm of romance. He's an orphan who has been loosely raised and reigned in by a kindly Native man (August Schellenberg), and also finds somewhat of a father figure in rigidly strict RCMP Constable Able Taft. Genuine Saskatoon native Kim Coates brings heartbreaking complexity to the character, who easily could have slipped into caricature, nailing a show stopping key scene. He catches the eye of the new girl in town, Debbie Baxter (MacKenzie Porter), whose kindly father (a nicely low key Michael Madsen) is an air force major situated at the nearby base. Parry's moody tomboy of a best friend Luke (Justine Banszky gives the best work of the film, simply soul baring) hides a dark secret within her that threatens their predictable, idyllic teenage world. The emotion, both uplifting and despairing is handled beautifully by the two who are both skilled way beyond their years. With support from season pros like Madsen, Coates, Schellenberg and Amanda Plummer as well, they make it a story worth telling, and beyond worth watching, if you can find it.
Growing up is hard
hidel_515 January 2013
Caught 45 R.P.M. on the cable Aboriginal Television Network (ATN) the other night. Had never heard of it before but as it drew me into the story I was so impressed by the young actors portraying the main characters. Plus the supporting cast is terrific. If you're a little older (as I am), and were an awkward young teenager when rock'n roll (as broadcast through the radio airwaves) was in still it's infancy, then this movie will bring back a wave of nostalgia. The simplicity and poignancy in its delivery is outstanding. The characters as presented, behave and have dialogue that make them 'real people', so much so that in watching them you might believe you are vicariously being allowed to take part in their lives. I would whole-heartedly recommend this to any and everyone.
Love is strange, as this film !
elshikh423 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Some critic said once: "All of Hollywood production lately is comedy and action movies. The rest is the Oscar films; namely the drama ones.". Well, to great extent, this is true. Hence, any pure drama nowadays became scarce. And that's why I was initially tempted by this Canadian film. A temptation that's, in similar films, always threatened by some, not usually so good, artistic ideas!
I believe that the story is part of the film's writer / director (Dave Schultz)'s life. He had known, if not had been, that boy from the Northern town of Goose Lake, Saskatchewan, who hates school, loves rock n roll, and has one desire; which's leaving that Northern town to New York city.
Many common features can be noticed in the 3 main characters (Parry, Luke, and Debbie): they're teens, kind of lonely, suffering orphanhood, and searching for love. Their world is doomed by a nuclear war that may explode in any minute; so let's escape from fear, and immerse in rock n roll and love, where both aren't so easy to get.
The plot is all about getting out of that sad world; whether by winning a radio contest (Parry), or finding love (Luck). Actually, in regard of this, (Debbie) represented the opposite, since she already saw the world. And while (Luke) loves (Parry), and (Parry) loves (Debbie), we have the film's events; which led (Parry) to discover how he really loves (Luke), and feels the bond with her, as someone dreams his dream, and resembles his mother (who was raped like her). Therefore, he eventually chooses to get her, and hurl together to their promised land.
The film runs smoothly and tenderly; as if whispers everything. For instance, when (Luke) is jealous, she walks beside the sea where she and the coast are black. And when (Parry) discovers that he loves (Luke), he runs in a sunny field. I loved the character of (George Moses) played by (August Schellenberg). The scene in which he teaches (Parry) how to dine elegantly was the best scene. There were many interesting details; such as the roof couch, recording on a school tape, the top 30 rock songs, which all could be sincere memories from (Schultz)'s teen days that he used subtly. The casting and acting were utterly perfect. Imagine that even (Michael Madsen) delivered a fine performance!! However, (Justine Banszky) as (Luke) was the one who stole the show. She was excellent as that acute tomboy, yet isolated and desperately in love girl. But it's not wholly flawless!
The real problem with this film lies in its script. It wants to play the game of "delay the information", to tighten some thrill, which forces you to follow every scene and line with concentration. It's smart game, only if smartly played. Because exaggerating it just impairs the film; and that what - partly - happened here.
Look at these questions: Was (Luke) a girl or a boy? Who is (George Moses)? Where's (Parry)'s parents? What can be the ugly things that people say about his father? Surely, delaying answering them wasn't for the sake of your unity with the film, plus muddled you for a long time. In other - more thorough - films, like The Big Chill (1983), the answers were delayed till the film's middle, not the third act, so the matters were less muddling.
Sorrowfully it gets worse when other questions aren't answered at all! Review with me: Why (Parry) hates school? What's the top secret story behind the crashed military plane? Why (Peter) brought his gun after knowing that (Luke) was pregnant? What (Parry) said to (Debbie) before leaving the town and going with Luke to New York (was it "Hey, I don't love you, I love Luke"? Or "I love you and Luke?" or "I'll travel with Luke, then come back to you"???). And who was that forever abhorrent police officer; who awakes (Parry), takes him in his underwear to school, and hits him in the gut if does something wrong?!!!!
The matter of (Luke) being pregnant came too suddenly, without any previous preparation or at least passing hints, which made it difficult to believe. Originally she used to get out the house whenever her mom's boyfriend is in, and when the 3 meet together; there is a closed door between the mom and her boyfriend on one side, and (Luke) on the other. So we didn't see the boyfriend and (Luke) ever together, rather we didn't see the boyfriend (unless after the incident!). Another wonder comes from the fact that (Luke) was quite wordless about it, then poured her heart out to the first girl she spoke to! Add to that, a line that I didn't like; when (Parry) asks (Debbie): "What's it like Debbie? The world?", she answers: "The chicken's just as greasy Parry." which I deemed too philosophical for a character like (Debbie) to utter!
So, accordingly, this is a nice warm drama, which says that love is strange, since you may find it in the last person around you. But the problem though is that the film itself tries so hard to be strange too. Not necessarily a good "artistic" idea!
I believe that the story is part of the film's writer / director (Dave Schultz)'s life. He had known, if not had been, that boy from the Northern town of Goose Lake, Saskatchewan, who hates school, loves rock n roll, and has one desire; which's leaving that Northern town to New York city.
Many common features can be noticed in the 3 main characters (Parry, Luke, and Debbie): they're teens, kind of lonely, suffering orphanhood, and searching for love. Their world is doomed by a nuclear war that may explode in any minute; so let's escape from fear, and immerse in rock n roll and love, where both aren't so easy to get.
The plot is all about getting out of that sad world; whether by winning a radio contest (Parry), or finding love (Luck). Actually, in regard of this, (Debbie) represented the opposite, since she already saw the world. And while (Luke) loves (Parry), and (Parry) loves (Debbie), we have the film's events; which led (Parry) to discover how he really loves (Luke), and feels the bond with her, as someone dreams his dream, and resembles his mother (who was raped like her). Therefore, he eventually chooses to get her, and hurl together to their promised land.
The film runs smoothly and tenderly; as if whispers everything. For instance, when (Luke) is jealous, she walks beside the sea where she and the coast are black. And when (Parry) discovers that he loves (Luke), he runs in a sunny field. I loved the character of (George Moses) played by (August Schellenberg). The scene in which he teaches (Parry) how to dine elegantly was the best scene. There were many interesting details; such as the roof couch, recording on a school tape, the top 30 rock songs, which all could be sincere memories from (Schultz)'s teen days that he used subtly. The casting and acting were utterly perfect. Imagine that even (Michael Madsen) delivered a fine performance!! However, (Justine Banszky) as (Luke) was the one who stole the show. She was excellent as that acute tomboy, yet isolated and desperately in love girl. But it's not wholly flawless!
The real problem with this film lies in its script. It wants to play the game of "delay the information", to tighten some thrill, which forces you to follow every scene and line with concentration. It's smart game, only if smartly played. Because exaggerating it just impairs the film; and that what - partly - happened here.
Look at these questions: Was (Luke) a girl or a boy? Who is (George Moses)? Where's (Parry)'s parents? What can be the ugly things that people say about his father? Surely, delaying answering them wasn't for the sake of your unity with the film, plus muddled you for a long time. In other - more thorough - films, like The Big Chill (1983), the answers were delayed till the film's middle, not the third act, so the matters were less muddling.
Sorrowfully it gets worse when other questions aren't answered at all! Review with me: Why (Parry) hates school? What's the top secret story behind the crashed military plane? Why (Peter) brought his gun after knowing that (Luke) was pregnant? What (Parry) said to (Debbie) before leaving the town and going with Luke to New York (was it "Hey, I don't love you, I love Luke"? Or "I love you and Luke?" or "I'll travel with Luke, then come back to you"???). And who was that forever abhorrent police officer; who awakes (Parry), takes him in his underwear to school, and hits him in the gut if does something wrong?!!!!
The matter of (Luke) being pregnant came too suddenly, without any previous preparation or at least passing hints, which made it difficult to believe. Originally she used to get out the house whenever her mom's boyfriend is in, and when the 3 meet together; there is a closed door between the mom and her boyfriend on one side, and (Luke) on the other. So we didn't see the boyfriend and (Luke) ever together, rather we didn't see the boyfriend (unless after the incident!). Another wonder comes from the fact that (Luke) was quite wordless about it, then poured her heart out to the first girl she spoke to! Add to that, a line that I didn't like; when (Parry) asks (Debbie): "What's it like Debbie? The world?", she answers: "The chicken's just as greasy Parry." which I deemed too philosophical for a character like (Debbie) to utter!
So, accordingly, this is a nice warm drama, which says that love is strange, since you may find it in the last person around you. But the problem though is that the film itself tries so hard to be strange too. Not necessarily a good "artistic" idea!
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