R/Comedy/Drama/105 Mins
Written & Directed by: Chandler Levack
Starring: Barbie Ferreira, Devon Bostick, Stanley Simons, Juliette Gariépy, Robert Naylor, Isaiah Lehtinen and Jay Baruchel
Review: Mile End Kicks takes place in 2011 and follows Grace (Barbie Ferreira), a 24 year old music critic who decides to move to Montreal, Quebec to follow the newest sounds in the local music scene, write an Alanis Morissette book, and to have an unforgettable summer. Shortly, after moving in with her DJ roommate Madeleine (Juliette Gariépy) and her boyfriend Hugo (Robert Naylor), Grace is introduced to the music of Hugo’s indie rock band, Bone Patrol, at a local gig. At the show she befriends the sweet, always high yet charismatic guitarist, Archie (Devon Bostick). While she’s immediately drawn to their music, it is the mysterious and attractive frontman Chevy (aka the “worst guy in Montreal”) who catches her eye. Trying to get close to Chevy, she decides to do a cover on the band for her publication. What follows is a series of hilarious, painfully awkward and cringe moments of Grace’s attempts to find love and herself.
While writing this review, I am currently listening to late 2000s-early 2010s indie rock which is making me feel very nostalgic, energized and youthful, like I’m back in my early 20s, which is the same feelings this film evokes out of me. I absolutely adored Mile End Kicks. It is an indie rock Canadian Almost Famous (there’s even a poster of the film in Grace’s bedroom which helps my comparison) for a new generation.
The true star of this film is Barbie Ferreira as Grace. She gives a very relatable and honest performance of someone who is unsure of who they are, dealing with the anxieties of being in their 20s with an uncertain future all while being charming and witty. There are a few times throughout the film where you cringe and left in disbelief at the decisions she makes. This just made her all the more relatable because we all were the same when we were in our early 20s. The other standout is the scene-stealing Devon Bostick as Archie. He is a character that is off-beat, calm and collected-yet awkward but has an enormous heart. Every time he’s on screen, you can’t help but be charmed by him. Archie brings so much sincerity to the picture, he is the beating heart of the film. This brings me to the complete opposite which is Stanley Simons as Chevy. He is a character who truly lives up to his reputation as the “worst guy in Montreal”. Chevy is a narcissistic, egotistical, emotional manipulator who are dime-a-dozen in the music industry.
As someone who has spent a lot of time in my early 20s in the local indie music scene, his spot on performance is very triggering. Which is a testament to how great of an actor Simons is to embody this loser so well.
A film that is driven by music, there is a fantastic soundtrack to back it. Featuring two original songs by Montreal-based band TOPS, they created the sound of Bone Patrol. Problematic frontman aside, this band is damn good! I need their song “ASL” playing in my headphones immediately.
Lastly, I want to point out the sharply written and hilarious script. From the natural/witty dialogue to relatable/cringeworthy misadventures, you can tell this was a very personal story for Chandler Levack to tell. We’ve all faced the trials and tribulations of being young, making mistakes and dumb decisions that we have to endure to be able to grow as a person. One of the best coming-of-age films in recent memory. After Levack’s previous film I Like Movies (which I also related to on a DEEP level) and now Mile End Kicks, I can’t wait to see what they do next. This is a Canadian filmmaker to watch. I highly urge you to see this film when it comes out April 17th, it’ll make you laugh, cry a little and steal your heart. Score: 9/10
Mile End Kicks is out in theaters on April 17th!
