The Delicate Art of Parking (2003)
A hilarious mockumentary on Canadian Parking Enforcement Officers. The synopsis says nothing about what the film is really about. A lot of heart. The funny one-liners and monologues from found footage of ordinary citizens giving their opinions on some of the most hated individuals around (especially when discussing Murray being run down by an irate patron and being sent into a coma). The parties at the fort where the Parking Enforcement Officials socialize, sign in required. The meeting with Murray's mother, who shares old videos and class portraits. Indeed, there is actually a real plot; a mystery that develops. Murray, the greatest Parking Enforcement Officer of them all, has been run over and is currently in a coma, but he was found without his ticket book! He has been rumored to have been drinking and acting strange in the days and even weeks before he was hit. Lonny, Olena, and Grant investigate, documenting it for us in real time! We eventually find out that Murray was probably depressed since finding out that they were to be replaced by technology; automated, talking parking meters. Fortunately, the Parking Enforcement Officers will be generously paid to retire. Which is more than enough for everyone except for the truly dedicated. In other words, Murray and Grant. Propitiously for them, they become exceptionally successful repossessors!
What really makes this film, though, are the characters. Fun, lovable, relatable, and individuals we really begin to befriend, identify with, and care about. Lonny, the young documentarian, is actually the least likable character, in my opinion. He is a "repeat offender" who has thousands to pay in parking tickets- hence the humble beginnings of this documentary we are watching. I suppose this is understandable, since he represents the typical average citizen, blindly disliking Parking Enforcement Officers as if their career represents who they are as individuals. Thankfully, he matures throughout the film, eventually seeing what is important in life by taking responsibility, being honest, and not taking those around him for granted. Grant is awesome as an awkward, totally dedicated Parking Enforcement Officer who lives and breathes his career. He truly believes he is providing an essential service to the people and is very by the book. Though this type would usually result in immediate negativity, he does it with such benignity and genuine concern that the audience will find it difficult to hate him. Grant idolizes his mentor Murray who he says taught him everything he knows, including a "method" that requires looking the individuals they are issuing tickets to in the eye and making sure they know you care and are listening. Jerome the tow truck driver, who is lacking a little intelligence but makes up for it with his benignity and compassion. I found a big smile on my face when he finally gets his girl, Russian camera woman Olena. Olena, with her accent and poor English, is so sweet in her loyalty to her work. Supporting cast includes other Parking Enforcement Officers in the union (my favorite is Harriet, the fierce one who later establishes her own gun shop), Murray's mother, and miscellaneous citizens (like the guy who, due to the magic of Murray's "method", experiences a therapeutic catharsis as he sobs his sorrows while holding a parking ticket).
The acting might not be the best, but this is a mockumentary. For all we know, the poor acting was intentional! I laughed out loud several times. The story was engaging. Should I let the caliber of acting interfere with this? No.
Be sure to stay tuned for the "Where are they now?" at the end of the film and the hilarious last line of the credits.
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