This one is complicated…

Canary is shot not so much like a documentary as a window into this alternate world.  It’s like we’re watching people go about their daily lives, which is just as dull as it sounds.  But I’m not saying this movie is boring.  You just have to pay really close attention to pick up on all the clues as to WTF is going on.  I am left with many questions and while I think I’ve answered some of them, many more keep me puzzled. 

The dude who introduced this movie warned us that it is challenging and the viewer is never spoon fed.  If you’ll allow me to stretch the metaphor, I will argue that while I don’t require a spoon feeding, I do appreciate being given chopsticks so I can feed myself.  I just wish I was given a little more.  Just a little more.  I think I have a handle on the Canary Universe but I don’t have a why for it, nor do I have a why should I care. 

But… I kind of do care.  A lot of the movies I’ve seen this year left me feeling great but I went home without the need to discuss the narrative.  For this one my viewing companion and I talked about it all through dinner.  And the more I think about it, the more I like it.  But I still have issues with it.  I really liked the voyeristic quality to the filming style, but quite frankly, I think a few times the deliberate obscurity was a little pretentious.

Do I recommend Canary?  Yes, if you are Kebes.  No if you are MJ.

[rating:30]