User Reviews

(2017) Porcupine Lake DRAMA

Co-production design, produced, written and directed by Ingrid Veninger that opens with the mother, Ally (Delphine Roussel) driving her 13 year old daughter, Bea (Charlotte Salisbury) and the family dog, Callum to a small Ontario town to the father, Scotty (Christopher Bolton) diner/ coffee shop. And we find out that the diner itself has always been a part of the dad, Scotty's family for a long time. Until one day, Bea decides to sell some crafts outside from her dad's diner, and another teenager about the same age, Kate (Lucinda Armstrong Hall) decides to help her sale some. Both Bea and Kate then strike up a friendship. We are then introduced to Kate's family, with the one to pay attention to is her older adult brother, Romeo (Harrison Tanner) as he has a noticeable gash on the back of his head, and Bea asks Kate about it that regards a motorcycle accident. And that one of the riffs between Bea's mom and dad is that Bea's mom,Ally wants Scotty to sell the diner, while Scotty wants to keep it in the family. And that they are technically separated as Bea's mom actual profession is that she is a teacher in Toronto.

Upon watching this movie, I initially thought the town Be's mother was driving to was called "Porcupine Lake", but as it turns out as you continue to watch it that there is actually an area called "Porcupine Lake", so it would have been nice if the makers informed viewers what small town they are being driven to instead of looking it up. There is a small moment that is reminiscent to "Ladybird" in which Bea unexpectedly hops off her mom's car while she is driving, knocking her unconscious. Except that "Porcupine Lake" was released almost two months earlier on Oct 6 before "Ladybird" released on Dec1. The other issue I had with this movie, although a minor one was that at first I thought it was Bea's dog that was killed by Kate's brother Romeo, but as it turned out it some other dog, I never seen nor have noticed before, It just became relevant out of nowhere to which Romeo went to authorities and confessed to the crime. It is things like that viewers wish they are told a self-explanatory story line.

Bea and her mother is moving to Port Severn for the summer. It's cottage country and a small lakeside community. Her father inherited the local diner from his father. Her mother wants to sell it and the marriage is in trouble. Bea is befriended by Kate. Bea is shy and prone to panic attacks. Kate is from a troubled family with troubled older brother Romeo. Kate takes Bea as her girlfriend as she brings Bea into her world.

I've never heard of filmmaker Ingrid Veninger. She seems to be a bit actor in Canada turning to indie filmmaking. There is an interesting voice being used. The two young actresses have the presence and the connection. There are limitations. The story does hold back from the most dangerous possibilities. During the climatic action sequence, the filming lets down the needed thrills for intensity. It takes some interesting moves but this is still very much an indie.

Not a single character in the entire movie is likeable. 1 star feeling sad for the hard work the movie makers did and 1 star for the dog. Only the dog can be watched in the entire movie. Please put a story when you make a movie next time.

This film was like walking back in time to the longest days of childhood summers. The detailed clues about small town life - from the plethora of business cards tacked on the bulletin board in the local snack shack, to the stickers covering plastic cereal containers at a chaotic breakfast table - have stayed with me. As someone who grew up always being the new girl, I identified with Bea (Charlotte Salisbury) as she tried to navigate and keep up with the rules of this place, dictated flawlessly by local girl Katie (Lucinda Armstrong Hall). Ingrid Veninger takes us on the beautifully heartbreaking ride of a very complicated friendship between two young girls on the verge of womanhood. Highly recommended.

It's easy to classify this as a coming-of-age film but I think it is more than that. There is the exploration of life theme, of course, but there are other angles: the influence of different cultural backgrounds, different family relationships, the ups and downs of life.

It is also a beautifully crafted film made with great sensitivity. It's only now, after having seen the film, that I fully realise that all the people in in were actors. The acting was of a very high standard.

Pity about the reviewer who couldn't find the film and then gave it only one star. Must have been having a bad day!

So Great to see Ingrid Veninger's latest film 'Porcupine Lake'. Her years of prolific film-making have paid off and she has created a tight, interesting and moving film that is both funny, real and poignant.

The main characters explore new teen feelings and try to make sense of the confusing and sometimes dark adult relationships they see around them. This is done with great sensitivity and insight. It is not easy to convey the subtle, new emotions that teens experience but Ingrid's approach and direction worked. Apparently the 13 year old actors met for the first time when they were filmed and the freshness and authenticity shows.

The characters were unique and interesting, the relationships and plot was highly entertaining despite the tough subject matter. The acting we excellent.

The depressing homes of the dysfunctional rural families were very true to life yet there was compassion at the same time.

I highly recommend the movie to people interested in films that delve into challenging relationships and emotional situations with insight, wisdom and humour.

This coming of age film felt so completely honest and genuine. The two young leads are fantastic. Every character choice felt believable, compelling and never quite predictable. Even though so many aspects of this genre can feel cliché, this movie still manages to feel original at every turn. A true joy to watch!

A film that delicately reminds us of that small window of innocence and the weeks leading to a new and more courageous way of being in the world no matter the chaos or uncertainty around us. Inner strength shines through these two young girls in stellar performances. The film transports you to another place and time in Canada and in your soul....that precious time before that first kiss that changes everything forever. Music by Zeus is subtle and adds to the films ability to take you back in time.

Bea and Kate are luminous & wonderfully talented young actors...I constantly see them in my mind's eye and remember "Those lazy hazy crazy days of Summer" and all the promise they held... Ingrid Veninger has made a film about friendship and love with warts and all which we can all relate to...her special talent is to let the characters breath and speak and live with such naturalness that we truly feel like we are inside the film as it unfolds...huge congrats to her and the cast and crew for making this wonderful film.

Beautiful and surprising coming of age film. Authentic to the core. I had the pleasure of seeing the premier of this film at TIFF 2017, and the entire cast and creative team and crew were present for the Q&A. The sense of family and heart and generosity, led by director Ingrid Veninger, during the Q&A was felt throughout the entire film.

I will leave my first review beneath this review as it seems to take a couple of viewings. After all the hype one (me) expected too much. Considering the girls ages they both put on a class performances almost on par with more mature actors. We will see more of them. The story line is good, could have been better in places, some things not needed to be included. Stunning scenery. I have had several conversations with Ingrid Veninger and she was eager to promote her film well. Much appreciated and helped understand things.

Yes we all know what its about and that a few privileged people have seen it... and those on Air Canada flights. Its been released now 9 months and still not freely available to buy, rent pay or to view. When I tried to pay to view, I was told my credit card is not registered in UK so go away. When asked they said it will make more money being released little at a time... This I find had to work out as instead of being a Block Buster movie it will be relegated to the ranks of "has been" short movies on Youtube ... Questions must be asked.

Well I finally got to see it, very disappointing, the trailer contained all that was relevant in the movie. If you want to see a movie about this subject "The First Girl I Loved" and "The Truth About Jane" are 100 times better and more informative, plus they "flow" and easy to watch. Sorry but my score is still 1.

Film Review: Porcupine Lake. Director, Producer, Writer (here) and actress Ingrid Veninger proves she clearly has a pulse on the youth coming of age summer experience. Bea (Charlotte Salisbury - a young version of Helen Hunt) finds herself in Northern Ontario, as her mom Ally (Delphine Roussel "Almost Adults" 2016) reluctantly agrees to meet and work at her out of town dad Scotty's (Christopher Bolton "Rent-like-a-Golie" TV) roadside cafe. Enter local rambunctious and fast-talking fellow youth Kate (Lucinda Armstrong Hall "Neighborhoods" TV), who befriends Bea and quickly becomes her friend, confidant and summer attraction. Surrounded by preoccupied parents, and a slue of stereotypical small town folk (including the terrific facial expression given by gay boy Emile "Maxime Robin Tom Clancy's Jace Ryan" 2018), the girls find ice cream, candy, knick-knack selling and experimentation easy to come by. Veninger's quiet back woods Ontario setting provides the girls a carefree and safe setting to observe and do as they please. What works here is that while the setting is without confrontation, there is an underlining energy that all can feel, yet no one is willing and/or able to address. Salisbury and Armstrong Hall are like two little "Thelma & Louise," unafraid of what lies ahead, yet cautious as to what each day has to offer. Running at about 1 1/2 hours, the films pace will lose many. DVD/VOV release: August 14, 2018

This is really a nice film about two girls who meet, discover each other, and become very close friends very fast. Having grown up in a resort community I can attest that this rapid development from strangers to bosom companions can and very often does happen during summer vacation. It's charming to watch the principals in this film contend with the strange new feelings that are an inevitable part of adolescence.

One drawback I just could not get over was that actress Charlotte Salisbury seemed to have no chemistry with the dog, who was apparently always looking off to stage left for his handler!

The details of the real-life Port Severn community are fascinating - the restaurant/petrol depot really exists as depicted and appears consistently in the film.

Low key and understated, but the emotions and the situations so intensely charged....