Review of The Trotsky (2010) by Hala Z — 29 Oct 2010

Last weekend I had the chance of watching The Trotsky, a Canadian comedy, at the SAAG (Southern Alberta Art Galley). Their film program often brings smaller and independent movies that have a lesser chance of being shown in mainstream theatre, and guess what? It is free of charge! The SAAG is a very good place to go watch movies, especially if you are a hungry student.

The Trotsky is very much the son of Ferris Beuller's Day Off. It is all about going against the system and defying the "fascist" school regime and its authorities, teachers and principals alike. Except this time it is moved from the suburbs of New York, all the way up to Montreal, the second most populated city in Canada.

In this film, however, the story takes a on a more political attitude. Where as in Ferris Bueller is more concern with social commentary, and being cool.

The film follows a 17-year-old kid, Leon Bronstein (Jay Baruchel, a Montreal native), disgruntled by his own society and the way people are treated, be it at work, school, or at home. He fervently believes that he is the reincarnation of Leon Trotsky, a Russian Revolutionary and Marxist Theorist, and is quite convinced his life is fated to go down the same path, both politically and personally.

The movie begins with a miniature hunger strike, held by Leon Bronstein in front of his father`s business, where he is adamantly chanting for a union, along with a less enthused and apathetic group of employees and family members. One thing leads to another and he is arrested for a night. As he continues butting heads with his father, he is then subjected to finish the rest of his education in a public school. While he is there Leon gets to work and convinces some his friends to protest for a union and rebel against the school authorities. Seeing that the school and its students were apathetic to his efforts, Leon is forced to take a much more drastic measure, along with the help of an unwilling lawyer.

The Trotsky is a great film. It is all together hilarious, Canadian-quirky and serious with its message. The best thing that you can take from this film is its commentary on the educational system, especially its impact on teenagers. Should these students hate going to school? Should they be exploited and be made dumb just because they are young and impressionable? Of course, because the governments say that you are not smart enough or able enough to start your life until you are "of age". So might as well do nothing until then! What? Nonsensical!

There are a group of teenagers, just like Leon Trotsky, who escape this kind of societal and political pressure, because of their upbringing and the awareness that they had been exposed to. But many of these teenagers are lost; they are either being exploited by the corporate industries, or busy trying to be famous and popular.

And keep in mind, even though this film takes place in Canada, its message is quite universal.

I personally think comedy is a perfect tool to discuss such important messages, because by the use of humour and tomfoolery, people's attention is brought to focus. The more relaxed the audience the more they are eager to give an ear to what you have to say.

Leon Bronstein asks you this: "Boredom, or Apathy?" What is your answer?