I want to start off though by saying that I truly believe that Jack Layton is one of the greatest politicians of my time. I admire him and keep his memory close to my ambitions. If you are looking for an inspirational story, it is the NDP and Mr. Layton's leadership in the 2011 federal election. Whether you agree with his politics or not, what he did for the NDP was nothing short of wonderful.
So, feeling this way about Jack Layton, I was really delighted to watch an entire movie about him and his political gain. Mostly his political triumphs because that's what Jack Layton was known for. Right? His politics? Right?
Apparently not.
The movie started out alright, admittedly, pretty cheesy but that's what made-for-TV movies are supposed to be like. The first time I saw Rick Roberts as Jack Layton, I was a little.. taken back? Afraid? Worried? Yes, he did look a lot like Jack Layton, if Jack Layton was made of plastic.
source: http://rabble.ca/whatsup/inaugural-annual-jack-layton-lecture
source: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/actors-need--courage-to-recreate--jack-laytons-life-heart-and-grist--and-soul-165830146.html
I did really like the choice for Olivia Chow though. I actually thought Sook-Yin Lee was perfect.
So, the film. It opened up with Layton running, (so cheesy) and then him being diagnosed with cancer, (by the way, can you imagine how awkward it might be if the doctor was a hardcore conservative?), just as the Harper government was about to force out another election. The whole Layton-is-sick-what-will-we-do thing, Layton says nothing will stop him, you know the deal and then as Layton is about to be sent off to his first day of campaigning around Canada and he has a flashback to the first time he met Olivia Chow, (these happen periodically). Cute, romantic, Mr. Layton is a fashionable lover boy, sure. At first at least.
I will tell you one thing, I am a sucker for romance and cute everything but I did not like this. I did not like it at all. I admit, it did start out kind of cute. Jack Layton from the 70's was really adorable and everything and their first kiss was cute but that's all I wanted to see. There's one point where Layton leaves Chow's apartment and she comes running after him and stops the elevator door from closing and Layton pulls her in and they kiss up to his apartment and then, well, you know.
Mr. TV-PRODUCER, I DO NOT CARE ONE SINGLE BIT ABOUT HOW MANY TIMES JACK LAYTON AND OLIVIA CHOW HAD SEX. I DO NOT CARE ONE SINGLE BIT, SO WHY DID YOU KEEP THROWING THAT AT ME?
I think they alluded to it at least five times. I sat there thinking, what is this even about anymore? Is this weird political fan fiction that they've passed off as a biopic? Do people really, honestly, care that much about Chow and Layton's love life? Did they really need sensationalize the movie that much?
Poor choice CBC, poor choice.
When Layton and Chow weren't being in love and doing sexual acts, it was more about Layton's fight with Cancer and maybe a little bit about his struggle with politics.
One part that I did really enjoy was the first time that Layton (Roberts), was given the cane at one of the stops and he holds it up in the air while saying something pro-NDP and everyone cheers and he smiles and cameras are flashing. That was ridiculously cheesy but I did really like it.
I also wished they had of maybe indulged a bit more in the supporting actor's stories like, Brad Lavigne and Allison's or Karl Belanger's? I know it wasn't about them but I think it would have given the struggle a greater presence in the film.
I just wished they had talked more about politics for heaven's sake because that's what I was watching it for; the underlying power struggle Layton had to face while in his battle against the blue machine.
The ending though. How sad. I did shed a tear. I am willing to admit that. It ended with Roberts reciting a part of Jack Layton's final words while he died in Olivia Chow's arms.
I mean really though, when I look back on the movie all I think about is Olivia Chow and Jack Layton's love life and that make me really upset.
You can watch it here.
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