The Burial Society

I saw this film as part of the 6th Annual Okanagan Film Festival, and having seen two other wonderful films already ("Marion Bridge" and "Un Crabe Dans La Tete"), i had high hopes for "The Burial Society". Although the cast is just loaded with experience, it is only the performances of the old men that are impressive. Rob LaBelle's starring role might win him a Genie for Best Impersonation of Don McKellar, but little else. And the writer / director's win at the 2002 Vancouver International Film Festival for Best Canadian Screenplay is a disgrace -- the ending begs the audience to believe things of the supporting characters that would be unconscionable. Whereas Kodak donated unlimited film stock to the producers of "Un Crabe Dans La Tete", it seems that the producers of "The Burial Society" were a little short on stock. The use of flashbacks and flashforwards is fine, but to use the exact same shots over and over again is shameful ... not to mention insulting to the audience. It seems as though barely 45 minutes of film was shot and then had to be edited to feature length. Go ... support the Canadian film industry ... go see "The Burial Society" and tell me i'm wrong ... but make sure you also see "Marion Bridge" and "Un Crabe Dans La Tete".