The Event (2003): Dir: Thom Fitzgerald / Cast: Don McKellar, Parker Posey, Sarah Polley, Olympia Dukakis, Brent Carver: Sad and depressing film about final stages of life for an A.I.D.S. victim. As played by Don McKellar he is seen mainly in flashbacks through images that family and friends reflect upon. He is gay and he informs his mother that he has contacted the disease. His male lover runs a treatment centre and suddenly all pieces come together in what looks like suicide. Well structured screenplay with a somewhat divert ending. Director Thom Fitzgerald previously made another bizarre independent film called The Hanging Garden but here he is too uneven especially when factoring in the Parker Posey footage. Posey's role as a reporter is not a bad part but often too straight forward but develops nicely during concluding scenes with her mother. McKellar is sympathetic as the dying man who wishes not to sit around and grow weaker. He desires to have his remaining days be a celebration of how everyone viewed him. Sarah Polley is terrific as his actress driven sister. Olympia Dukakis is also featured in scene stealing moments. Well made independent feature that is hardly entertaining but nonetheless very involving. It argues a case over mercy killing requested by the potential victim but these are not events to celebrate so much as the life in question. Score: 7 / 10
Review of The Event
