PONTYPOOL (2009)

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"... This concept is like a really big shoe, yet its execution is like a rather tiny foot..."

"Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure." Yeah... Yeah... I think this quote from ol' Henry Nouwen is quite pertinent when discussing something like Pontypool; a film about words, meanings, emotions, radio hosts and zombies... Yes, you read that right---zombies... Well, kind of.

For those unfamiliar, Pontypool is a Canadian film based off of Tony Burgess highly respected novel Pontypool Changes Everything. Directed by Bruce McDonald, (who did the atrocious "Tracy Fragments") Pontypool is a story heavy on dialogue and light on location as well as nearly any conflict. Taking place in a single radio station, a host by the name of Grant Mazzy (Stephen McHattie) enjoys delivering witty banter and sarcasm all across the airwaves to anyone willing to listen. Well, then again, I wouldn't say he enjoys it... He just doesn't give a shit about what people think regarding any of his rant-like rhetoric. Thus, he just let's things spill... Anyways... His work day starts just like any other until some rather strange broadcasts begin coming in. Violent, malicious attacks; distress calls; warnings... Yeah, I know---it sounds like everyday news, but something about these reports is just a little different. What seems like simple riots, elevates into a possible epidemic. And the infection? Well, that's the single characteristic separating this flick from so many others... The infection stems from the English language. It spawns from speaking, SIMPLY SPEAKING! Now, if that's not a cheap way for zombies to add to their ranks, I don't know what is. Well, as you would think, Mazzy and his buds (only three of 'em), must do what they can to survive the outbreak and try to get the message out to the world.

Now, right off the bat, the most notable aspect to this movie is the infection-spreading English language (and don't get all upset---that's not a spoiler, it's learned during the first portion of the film) This idea---to me---is just awesome. To take a genre we all know and love and put this kind of a verbal spin on it is simply ingenious. Sadly, this concept is like a really big shoe, yet its execution is like a rather tiny foot. Things begin on a creative note as we're given a brief narration by Mazzy himself (depicted via a snazzy blue sound-wave) and then slowly move on from there to the rest of the film. Now, I'm fine with character development and stories that are heavy on script, but honestly, there's got to be a better way to pace it all out. During the entire 95 minutes it lasts, there's only about five to ten minutes dedicated towards any actual on-screen conflict. What makes it worse is that once this conflict occurs---nothing comes from it. These moments almost seemed like portions of a trailer because you're given a hint---a possibility---of what could occur, but nothing ever does. This means of cinematic development bogs the film down because all of its time is spent telling us what's happening---not showing us. It becomes all talk and no show.

What saves the film though is relatively smart dialogue---because if you're going to be told something for an hour and half, it better be at least conveyed in an interesting way. For the most part, the words tossed amongst the limited protagonists are believable, snappy and compelling to listen to. This goes ten-fold for their means of "fighting" the infection and builds to a somewhat engrossing (albeit brief) climax of tongue-tying speech. This is all aided by excellent performances by the wonderfully voiced Stephen McHattie and delicately spoken Lisa Houle. On the directorial end of things, McDonald does a fine job with mood and utilizes the radio set to its fullest extent. I was even surprised that he was able to pack in a few moments of the creepy here and there (particularly one scene involving a kettle), yet once again---nothing truly comes from these possibly scary incidents. The movie just seems so wrapped up in its own premise that it forgets about other elements that make films so captivating in the first place. Added to this dilemma are segments where characters don't react to certain incidents as they should, as well as a bit of convenient writing that allows characters to emerge from nowhere and explain the epidemic, then leave later on.

During the entire duration of Pontypool I just kept waiting... Waiting for something to ignite the interest that was already fueled by the incredible premise and well-written dialogue. Sadly, that "something" never came for me or any of the other viewers I was observing the film with. There's potential here... And there's also some talk of a trilogy... We'll see... Then again, sequels lose their credibility the more you make them.