Diverted

So what took so long? Right after 9/11, I said the story of Canada accepting hundreds of diverted flights would make a great movie. Finally after eight years, it's happened. This is well done, not "great", but well done. A couple of plausible love stories are effectively worked in. The film seems true to the facts and it captures the wonderful realities of Newfoundland right down to some great "down east" music, the awesome scenery, the legendary hospitality of "Newfies" and even the touristy rite of "kissin' the cod." I hope this film gets some offshore exposure. It was a tragic time but also one in which Canada played a proud role.

I enjoyed this made-for-TV movie. Its along the lines of something from Lifetime but is actually a CBC (Canadian) production. There's nothing fancy here but it's still a heartwarming story as the viewer follows various story lines about the passengers and friendships developed over a 4 day period (starting on September 11th, 2001) when 38 planes headed to New York were diverted to Gander Newfoundland, Canada. A town of 9,000 which took in 7,000 passengers until American airspace reopened.

The plot itself is compelling and there's some decent acting which makes up for the slow pace. I enjoyed (Shawn Ashmore) as the Air Traffic Controller; meeting and falling in love with British passenger Alia. (David Suchet) was a big surprise here, playing an obnoxious American, desperate for news of his son who worked in the World Trade Center. Another sweet romance develops between a middle aged pair of lonely travellers, and a Muslim American man immediately sees his world changed forever as he is racially profiled, raising suspicions based on his skin colour alone.

We also follow several Gander locals; a hotel manager, the Mayor as they try to accommodate anxious and scared passengers who aren't even sure where they are. Friendships remain to this day between the Canadian hosts and stranded British, European and American travellers. 4/12/15

6.4 stars.

Maybe it wasn't totally no budget, there are some great scenes that seemed polished. In fact, the whole film looks well done and not cheaply made, but it feels cheap and I feel cheap for watching it. There seems to be about 7 main characters. I'll spitball it and say the hotel concierge was one of them along with a man and a woman of middle age who are seated next to each other on the plane. Then there is the air traffic controller who is a recognizable actor (X-Men, Rookie Blue, and a plethora of movies and shows), and a young woman with semi-dark skin, and maybe they are attempting to portray her as an Arab, it's uncertain, but she's English. And then there's the actual Arab who is a New Yorker and they are looking strangely at him and treating him with disdain because he's Muslim. And finally there's an arrogant businessman who has to get back to New York immediately, and thinks the whole world owes him. So anyways, those are the main characters.

The film was good for the first hour, then we are dealing with some cut rate relationships forming between two couples and the snooty businessman is all up in everyone's face because he feels like his life is more important than anyone else. The hotel worker is probably the only person with any redeeming qualities. I liked her portrayal of an Irish woman who lives in NewFoundland and works in a hotel that is inundated by thousands of passengers who have no place to go now that no planes are allowed to fly into the USA due to the twin towers being attacked. Otherwise the film was a disappointment after about 50 minutes.

A well done and well deserved film, celebrating our fine Newfoundlanders.

David Suchet portrays the role of Samuel Stern with such conviction that you have no choice but to go through his emotional journey with him. Joanne Whalley played her role with a lot passion and understanding. Lisa Repo-Martell gave one of the most memorable performances during the film with lots of control and presence. One of the most interesting subplots was the story of Jamal Hassani, played by Anousha Alamian and his struggle as a minority, which felt real and honest and gave the film such humanity, that it was thrilling to watch.

Well worth watching again and again.

Admittedly a feel-good story is left open many interesting personalities of the passengers and the people in Gander. It is so much like a pilot that I can't believe it wasn't intended that way. I love the story I would watch more.