Passenger Side

“A thinking man’s Judd Apatow flick . . . literate, amusing and unexpectedly moving” (LA Weekly), the made-in-California Passenger Side, the latest from Montreal-born writer-director Matthew Bissonnette (Looking for Leonard, Who Loves the Sun), combines a comic road movie with compelling family drama — and an examination of what it means to be Canadian in L.A. “Bissonnette breathes new life into genres while gently dismantling them. It begins when ex-junkie Tobey (Joel Bissonnette) unexpectedly asks his writer brother Michael (Adam Scott) to drive him around Los Angeles in search of something — though what isn’t exactly clear. As they traverse the city, they bump into various characters and situations that place them in a variety of compromising positions. Sharply written and performed, and propelled by a great indie-rock soundtrack, Passenger Side is ultimately a very moving film about the unique bond between brothers” (Matthew Hays, Toronto I.F.F.). “Showcases an original young filmmaking talent coming into his own . . . A sly slice-of-life that starts as a random string of events, then moves obliquely but purposefully toward a poignant epiphany” (Variety). “Bonus points for the Cancon hockey talk, which is excellently paired with a Leonard Cohen song” (Eye Weekly). Colour, 35mm. 85 mins.