PodBill Just what I expected

Hadrina The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Cheryl A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

S. Felton There have been many movies about life and issues in small towns, so in a sense there is nothing unique about this movie. But what this movie proves is that is doesn't always matter what the movie is about. What matters is how well the movie is made. As the header of this review states, this is the way movies should be made. From the outset I could tell that this was going to be a winner. The movie covers many different plot lines, and at the beginning they are all set up quite well, though you have to pay attention because there are many characters and issues. From then on the movie is easy to follow.I've noticed that at least sometimes movies by this company, film movement, have a name actor (I assume) to attract viewers. In this movie that's Sandra Oh, and she plays her role perfectly. As for the other actors, the casting is just right, the acting is excellent, the characters are believable, the script is superb, and the pacing is great. In short the movie is highly enjoyable with a very satisfying ending. No violence, nothing in your face, a very pleasant movie experience, with just the right amount of conflict and tension.

TxMike Filmed in Nova Scotia this small independent Canadian film is set in the fictitious community of Wilby, population 4200, the main town on Wilby Island. In the dialog they occasionally make references to distinguish those who originated on the island from those who came there from outside. It is that kind of small community where everyone knows everyone else, and some get entangled in the lives of others.There are several simultaneous stories here. One is about the town cop whose mother had just died, they need to sell her place. His wife is a real estate agent and very high strung, it seems their relationship has gone stale and needs repair.Another is about a story about to break in the small newspaper, about an area on the island called the "watch", supposedly becoming overrun with the "bad" element, including homosexuals. One of the men in town is worried about that, and in fact we see him trying to kill himself several different times in dark comedic ways.The town mayor is thinking of retiring soon, he seems to have a great interest in this "watch" matter, and may be illegally involved in trying to have a golf course built there.Then there is the single mom coming back to the island to try to open the old restaurant while her teen daughter is struggling with "coming of age" as the teenage object of her affection just keeps trying to get her in the sack.Overall a very entertaining 90 minutes, the characters are well-drawn and the acting is top-notch. I was drawn to see it because of Ellen Page (really 16), it was one of her earlier movies and she plays the teenage girl. There are other experienced actors such as Maury Chaykin (the mayor), Sandra Oh (the real estate agent), and Brit Callum Keith Rennie, who lately we have come to enjoy on the TV series "The Firm".

budikavlan The best thing this has going for it is the mood. The quiet evocation of a small island/town is pretty much dead on, with the slightly shabby businesses, people with small-scale ambitions, and hidden strings connecting everyone and everything. There are also some excellent performances, especially Sandra Oh, Rebecca Jenkins, and Callum Keith Rennie (for once showing his awkward, charming side rather than playing another psychopath).There's both too much and too little going on, if that's possible. The various plot threads wander around before finally getting to what turns out to be the main plot. By that time, there have been a few too many scenes of people walking around while the soundtrack music plays. Some of the characters take too long to register, as well. The one who might be the most important, Dan Jarvis (the suicidal, soon-to-be-outed video store owner), never really registers at all--he never amounts to much of anything besides vague melancholy.I don't blame the actors, really.....the ones we don't know well enough simply haven't had enough dialogue to let us know them. Fewer subplots and a little less wistful scenery montage would have helped the through-line considerably.Put most simply, this has too much atmosphere to be a Plot Film and too much plot to be an Atmosphere Film. Not that it would ever have a chance to happen, but I think Wilby would have worked much better as a series.

freakyfreak05 Every one strays from the path of being a descent human being. we all have our own way of coping with life. where ever a person can hide, not to take responsibility for their lives. or compensate through being a workaholic, promiscuous, chasing money, or finding a mate to validate ourselves when we feel lonely etc...etc. people can complicate a glass of water. and so are the characters in this story. each one is their own worst enemy (arent we all) in this slice of wilby history. it's decision making time in wilby wonderful. am i going to continue avoiding the accountability of my life or am i going to change?this film just reminds me of why i love independent, dialogue driven film. the beauty of the town isn't not to be confused with the kind of people that live there. each character was brought out into full dimension. and i was able to feel all their pain. the fact that i hated sandra oh, just means she's a great actress. if i were her husband in this film, things wouldve turned out different. my recognition for outstanding actress in this film goes to ellen page. i recommend this film to any one who is a member of the human race. i also have to thank Film Movement for delivery of this film to my home. we don't get any indies out here. if not for them, i've missed it.