Review of The Trotsky (2010) by Amanda C — 22 Aug 2012

There is so much to love about this film. A witty and topical script, an extremely likeable lead with some cameos by some great, but relatively unknown Canadian actors. It's quite timely as well, given the recent student protests in Quebec.

What makes this a good film, however, is that its politics, although prominent, do not overshadow the people and their characterization. At its heart it's about a young man who is trying to find his way, and his purpose in life.

This has been done and done again, but here the fact that Leon Bronstein is convinced that he is the reincarnation of Leon Trotsky adds another dimension to this coming of age tale. Here the case is not being made that the only way to truly find your place in life is through your uniqueness as is usually the case, but that the importance lies in conviction and beliefs that you hold and how you act upon them and uphold them, even if it is not a particularly unique path.

Bronstein is defiantly a strange character, and no one who populates this world quite knows how to deal with him. Fortunately, director Jacob Tierney is not so effected, directing with a light hand and absolutely revelling in the absurdity of it all.