Today I am posting about my experience with the movie Marion Bridge.

Part 1 on New Waterford Girl is here: https://capebreton.lokol.me/cape-breton-movies-part-1-introducing-new-waterford-glace-bay

Part 2 on My Bloody Valentine is here: https://capebreton.lokol.me/cape-breton-movies-p2-sydney-mines-is-an-international-sensation

Part 3 on Johnny Belinda is here: https://capebreton.lokol.me/cape-breton-movies-p3-johnny-belinda-and-small-town-mentality

Part 4 on The Bay Boy is here: https://capebreton.lokol.me/cape-breton-movies-p4-the-bay-boy-for-most-canadian-movie

This list that follows is intended to cover all feature films related to Cape Breton. I have attempted to include movies that can tell a little of the story of Cape Breton and have purposefully left out movies that just used Cape Breton as a set for some other place (Squanto, Book of Negroes).

- New Waterford Girl (Part 1)

- My Bloody Valentine (Part 2)

- Johnny Belinda (Part 3)

-  The Bay Boy (Part 4)

- Marion Bridge (Part 5)

- Margaret’s Museum (at the library)

- Going Down the Road (at library)

-Down the Road Again (at library)

- Sealed Cargo (have it)

-The Legend of the Psychotic Forest Ranger (looking for it)

- Candy Mountain (bits and pieces on YouTube)

- Song Spinner (can’t find)

- The Third Walker (looking)

- Something About Love (1988) (looking)

- The Widow of St. Pierre (at library)

Blogging about Cape Breton movies has been an exercise for me in easing back into watching TV after cutting back considerably. This past last year I chose to focus more of my time on activities such as reading books, recording music, ,and hiking. I figure a project like this would add a bit more meaning than just curling up in a vegetative state and numbing my brain with senseless drivel.

So, on to today’s review….

Marion Bridge (2002) directed by Wiebke von Carolsfeld

For those of you that who may not know, do not know this movie is an adaptation of celebrated Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor’s play of the same name. Daniel was the screenwriter for the movie and it is clear there he had a lot of influence in capturing the culture and feeling of Cape Breton. This (Note: this is the second movie adaptation I’ve covered, with the first being Johnny Belinda. Maybe Wesley Colford or someone else over at the Highland Arts Theatre would be interested in bringing these wonderful stories back to the community of Cape Breton.

I have to say that, after watching so many historical or dated films, it is refreshing that after watching so many historical or dated films I see a fairly modern take on Cape Breton. The film does a good job of capturing the essence of the island and its people, including the decaying infrastructure, the closeness of family, rampant rumours, and the overall serenity of the place.

Molly Parker shines in the role of Agnes, a woman with a troubled past that who returns to reunite with her sisters in an effort to take care of their her dying mother. She demonstrates a sense of leadership, bravery, and also instability throughout the movie. Although she Molly was raised in Cape Breton, she left for the big city (Toronto) she and upon returning home displays both disdain and love for the place.

 A fragile alliance between the sisters (Rebecca Jenkins as Theresa and Stacy Smith as Louise) is what really makes this a complex movie about family dynamics. Although The three sisters are very different, they are glued together by past tragedies and shared hopes of resolution.

A young Ellen Page (who went on to become a powerhouse in Hollywood despite her modest roots in Nova Scotia) plays Joanie, an adopted girl with family ties she is not aware of.

One memorable scene is that of the sisters going to see their villainous father, and the confrontational silence that ensues between him and Agnes. Very powerful.

And for a bit of possibly useless trivia, there are a few actors that appear in both Marion Bridge and New Waterford Girl, and the song “Song for the Mira” can be heard in both films. I found it interesting that the version in this movie Marion Bridge is sung by the three sisters. Like it or not, it is something a song that has been an exported version of Cape Breton pride for decades.

What did I find out about Cape Breton from watching this movie?

I think the movie did a great job of demonstrating the strength of family and what it means to Cape Breton. I think there were also subtle cues about how insular people on the island can be. People that leave for several years, or who have different personalities and values, may often struggle to find their place in Cape Breton.  

All-in-all, as far as family dramas go, this movie Marion Bridge was pretty well done. The genre isn’t really my thing, but I was intrigued by the complexity of the characters, the great shots of Cape Breton, and great the quality of the acting.

Chris Bellemore is a blogger from Ontario that moved to Cape Breton Island and is logging his experiences in this strange and wonderful place.

https://www.facebook.com/chris.bellemore

Listen to me rocking out with original heartbreak folk music here: https://soundcloud.com/crispbellemono