capsule : the world will come to an end at midnight .
everyone knows it and must make a final peace with the last hours of their lives .
this is an intelligent science fiction film with no special effects , just personalities and ideas . , high +2 ( -4 to +4 )
- it is the last night of the planet and several different people are reacting each in their own way to the end .
the film covers 6 pm to midnight .
the main character is patrick played by david mckellan who also wrote and directed .
- reminiscent of on the beach .
but much more so of a story richard matheson
wrote , " the last day .
" ( p . s .
on rereading the 1953 matheson , this film is almost a loose adaptation of that story .
the similarities may be mere coincidence , but they are numerous and they are very striking . )
- us release may be problematical .
the title is lackluster and non - memorable , though very appropriate when you know about the film .
also provincial americans may not care about the end of the world coming to toronto .
they probably would feel it would not affect them .
perhaps a pbs release would be possible .
- patrick 's family has declared it christmas and are hurt that the ( adult ) children will not spend the whole evening with them .
- grocery stores mostly looted .
it seems though that one of everything is left .
- some people continue business as usual , some want sex , some react with religion , some riot .
some people are in total denial .
- much comedy , much drama .
- very canadian cast .
- it does not get dark .
it is just always daytime .
- radio playing " last night i did n't get to sleep at all .
"
how appropriate .
- david cronenberg as a kind of bland functionary manager at the gas company .
genvieve bujold as french teacher visiting former student .
- science fiction film with no special effects , cost about two million dollars .
- the person you have been thrown together with by chance becomes the most important person to you for the rest of your life .
- why would it be so precisely at midnight ?
what about other time zones ?
what is the nature of what is destroying the world ?
an intelligent science fiction film very appropriate