Mountain Men

I didn't know I was about to watch a Canadian film but right there, in the first scene, the talk is about going to Kelowna for an abortion. No American would know where Kelowna is, but I as a Canadian certainly do.

Shot in Revelstoke (the extreme skiing capital of this country), the scenery is fantastic. BTW: if you don't know what province I'm talking about yet (or what a province is), you're not from around here.

It's all about how 2 brothers initially perceive each other, one supposedly a looser and the other supposedly successful, and how that changes as the truths to come out being stuck together. Turns out the successful one has a few downfalls while the looser has many undiscovered strong qualities.

What makes the movie interesting is the successful guy keeps thinking he's right about everything even when he's blatantly proven wrong. The looser takes some big chances that prove to be the right moves like lowering his brother down a cliff. If I were the one being lowered I'd be freaked out too.

In the end, they truly are brothers and not so far off. Worth the watch where only a few have watched.

Watched this on a plane back from Winnipeg. The great Canadian experience, visit Winnipeg, then watch a movie about 2 guys stuck in the Rockies.

Although some parts of it is very typical Canadian, they do try to make it relatable to non-Canadians by adding a couple of interesting characteristics to each of the main characters in the movie. And I think they were on the right path but could have done more with it...become even more adventurous with the plot and explore the themes of fatherhood, wilderness, success (and failure), and in general the human condition.

But that might have compromised the realism and the message of real danger in situations such as this (which is very real). Canadian wilderness is very beautiful but can be dangerous as well if you're not properly prepared.

Toph Pollard (Tyler Labine) is a weed dealer. His brother Cooper (Chace Crawford) is visiting for their mother's wedding. The brothers head up to the family mountain cabin to kick out a squatter. They are both dealing with issues and their resentments bubble up as things get out of hand.

There is a genre switch in the middle. The first half is a rather sparse family comedic drama. Labine tries to do a little comedy. It's a limited indie and then it turns into a survival adventure. That has some fun and thrills. This movie has a little bit of humor and a little bit of adventure. It's a little bit.

This was more serious than what I thought I was in for. While I would have preferred something that was pure comedy with a bit of estranged brothers reconciling, this was a good movie that I thought handled mental illness in a very striking and interesting way. I was entertained and really liked the ending.

Bought this on Netflix and pleased we did. Well chosen cast played things naturally which, with the restrained unflashy directing, made great use of the atmosphere and amazing location.

Chace Crawford and especially Tyler Lebine do an excellent job of carrying the movie, which is 90% a two hander.

It has some laugh out loud moments which I won't spoil and a nice set up and exploration of family tension. Overall a good movie and one I would recommend.

It also does the Canadian tourist industry no harm, as we want to visit now!