Trudeau

I'm a conservative; and even those who are die-hard conservatives, or hated Trudeau, will really enjoy this flick. I bought it after watching it and renting it about a dozen times.

The historical accuracy was great - which is very funny for a historical movie (because not a lot of these kinds of movies are historically accurate). Its hard for me to determine what my favorite scene was because they were all great. Even the opening of the movie with the old CBC colour butterfly was great, and set up the atmosphere for the film. It gives everyone a chance to see how popular politicians got started, and made their mark, and how others were hated and why they were hated. It was definitely not biased whatsoever.

This movie has made it in my top three most favorite movies.

There isn't much to be said about this movie, especially anything negative. The director plays a critical role in making this movie the gem that it is. This movie allows one to feel the full spectrum of emotions that isn't seen often in the current releases. Very strong movie, well-made. touching, even for a 25 year old chap like me. Very refreshing to see home town scenery in a movie, soundtrack for this movie is incredible and well chosen for each interlude. I've read a few books on Trudeau and have to point out that the information in this movie is quite accurate.

Bravo Jerry, rest in peace Pierre and Michel.

JMH

Phenomenal performance from Colm Feore (who HAS lived in Canada for 40 yrs. despite being Boston-born). It is eerie, you almost believe it really is Trudeau, the voice, mannerisms are spot on. Peter Outerbridge is particularly strong as Jim Coutts. The mini-series in typical CBC fashion deifies Trudeau while ignoring the real harm he did to Canada: flawed constitution that left out one of the founding peoples agreement to it, rise of alienation & the threat of separatism, the ruin of the economy, staggering debt & out-of-control spending. Trudeau was reviled outside Canada as a world leader; Thatcher & Reagan wouldn't give him the time of day! That being said, he was a man of conviction & courage & the miniseries brings that element out well. The extra features on the DVD, particularly the 1968 Liberal leadership convention documentary, is particularly good in presenting the political intrigue & drama of the time. A movie well-worth seeing or owning for that matter!

Pierre Trudeau was one of our greatest leaders, love him or hate him, and this documentary helps endear him to a younger generation, people like me, who weren't alive when he was Prime Minister of Canada.

The film takes you through his terms as PM, with a keen eye for detail. Portions include the invoking of the War Measures Act, which sparked controversy all around the world; his marriage to his first wife, Margaret, the catastrophe with the FLQ, and much more.

The acting in the series is top-notch, except for Polly Shannon, who turns in an uneven performance as Margaret. She's often either very excited or very down-in-the-dumps, which was realistic, but she didn't really capture the essence of Margaret, or so I think.

Colm Feore, who looks nothing like Trudeau; turns in a great performance as the man himself. Despite the non-resemblance of the two men, Feore has all of the famous quotes, body movements, and mannerisms of the former PM done to a T.

Patrick McKenna, who many Canadians remember as loveable-dope Harold Green on 'The Red Green Show' turns in a solid performance as Duncan. This was one of his first serious roles, and he did an excellent job.

I think that Pierre himself would have enjoyed this miniseries, as it is brilliantly lit, shot, and edited.

Even though he is widely regarded as 'Eastern Canada's' PM; Trudeau was the man that people around the world identified as Canada during the 1970's, and he was a fine ambassador for our country.

The CBC, a government-controlled operative, does a great job in showing us the trials and tribulations of Trudeau's life. This is easily their best film since 'White Lies'.

Rarely does a 3 hour political docu-drama have more than its subject matter to hold the viewer's interest. However, Canadian director Jerry Ciccoritti does not rely on his intriguing subject matter but tries many things to make "TRUDEAU" a ground breaking effort in this genre. His camera shots and techniques are staggering in their diversity. The film is full of visually effective montages, clever, seamless blending of real life footage and other arty editting techniques. The movie has as much cinematic flare as Trudeau had political flare. One such scene has Trudeau and his two henchmen(Duncan and Greenbaum) running and hiding from screaming girls, a parody of the Fab Four films. This was a neat summary of how Trudeaumania was as big as Beatlemania in the 1960s. Another original technique was the use of various time markers. During the FLQ crisis segment, which was a short 2 week event, Ciccoritti uses a shaded timeline to keep track of the event. During the Quebec Referendum/Constitution segment, a much longer event, the full date was displayed. Never have a seen a film with such sensitivity to the audience's potential problem of following events. Another thing that will cement this movie into Canadian lore is the cast. Patrick McKenna(RED GREEN SHOW) and Don McKellar(TWITCH CITY), more known for their comic style, get a chance to show their dramatic talents. The cast also includes veteran ensemble stars like Eric Peterson and R. H. Thomson(the King of Canadian mini-series). Ciccoritti's choice of Colm Feore(INSIDER, PEARL HARBOR) was perfect. Not only does Feore have star appeal, but his performance of Trudeau is award winning. Not only did he have the voice and mannerisms down pat but Feore vividly expressed the prime minister as a real character, not a caricature. Overall, this movie will delight Canadians and should have universal appeal as well.