Mr. Viral

I saw an early screening of Mr. Viral in Toronto. Several audience members said afterwards "It doesn't even look like a Canadian film".

Mr. Viral's excellent camera work, original music score, sound mixing, editing and visual effects add hugely to its high-end professionalism. This feature-length film really has the aura of a big-budget Hollywood movie. That's simply amazing! What pleasantly surprised me also was the exceptionally high standard of acting by Canadians whose names are all too little known beyond our borders. Even the bit parts - masses of them - were great. And the whole show was so delightfully fast-paced and zany that any small acting lapses simply slipped by.

Mr. Viral's script has satire and innuendo and often-earthy humour in abundance. But there is pathos too; which really makes one feel for, and with, its characters. Its three separate plot lines demand concentration from viewers; but no more than is needed to watch intelligent TV shows like ER, West Wing, LA Law, or House.

It's as clever as any of those, but much funnier. Its outrageously suggestive plot lines are all the more amusing because their innuendos are in the minds of viewers, but not "in their face" on-screen.

If the director and producers can make so much of their first feature film with so little funding, then just imagine what they could achieve next time with a bigger budget!