A Simple Curve

A SIMPLE CURVE is exactly the sort of movie that most viewers would never watch but which could prove rewarding if you actually give it a chance. While it has no explosions or big-name actors, it does have some excellent acting and production values.

As for the story, it took some time to grow on me because the people in it were so odd compared to the typical Western family. Instead of being set in the city or suburbs or even the farmland, this film was made in the middle of no where in the mountains of Western Canada. While this was odd, the types of people in the film were also quite odd. The father, Jim, was a 70s hippie who came to the country to avoid the draft and has extremely high ideals and an unusual moral compass. He's often uncompromising but also with an odd sense of right and wrong. Caleb, his 27 year-old son, is devoted to him but also extremely frustrated with Jim's inflexibility--given that their business is going down the drain and Jim will seemingly do nothing to change his ways. Despite feeling little in common with the pair, I kept watching and realized that in spite of the weirdness of their ideals compared to the mainstream, their struggle was in many ways quite universal--a tough dad and a son who secretly wants to punch him in the face--a theme that seldom makes it to film. In many ways, this reminded me of THE JAZZ SINGER--except that A SIMPLE CURVE is much more watchable.

Through all the film and its little quirks, the acting and writing were lovely and the rugged scenery was very welcome. About the only negatives were the unresolved bits and pieces in the plot by the end of the film as well as the unlikability of many of the characters. Still, given all its strengths and how non-derivative the plot is, it's well worth seeking out as an answer to the usual Hollywood fare.