Porcupine Lake

source: Porcupine Lake

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.

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.

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