Rating: 
Summary: Quirky, lovable Canadian comedy with star power
Review: "I think that there is something really fantastic about Canadian iconography," confesses actor/director/writer/musician Paul Gross, better known as überpolite, by-the-book RCMP Constable Benton Fraser on "Due South." "When you think about it, it's sort of bizarre--beaver, maple leaf. There is an oddball quality to it that is both noble, melancholy and laughable all at the same time, and I think that there is something really wonderful in that." Which pretty much sums up "Men With Brooms," a quirky Canadian comedy that sweeps audiences off its feet (bad curling pun intended). If "Men With Brooms" suffers from one particular ailment, it would be that it tries to be a number of different films rolled into one: a love story, a buddy film, a curling documentary of sorts, the quintessential Canadian comedy. But the strength of its original script and ensemble cast really shines. Big name Canadian talent includes Paul Gross ("Due South," "Hamlet" at Stratford), Molly Parker ("Five Senses," "Rare Birds,") and Leslie Nielsen ("Due South," "Airplane," "Naked Gun"), although all of the actors do a fantastic job. The basic premise is that Donald Foley, the beloved coach of the Long Bay, Ontario curling team has just died, and in his videotaped will he wants the team to reunite and attempt to win the Golden Broom, the most prestigious award in curling. The skip, Chris Cutter, left town ten years ago after losing an important game and leaving his fiancée Julie, Donald's daughter, standing at the altar. Now he has to attempt the impossible by reuniting his old teammates (a drug dealer, a mortician in a lifeless marriage, and a frustrated husband with a single-digit sperm count) and attempting to win the Golden Broom, as well with making peace with his father (Leslie Neilsen), Julie and himself. In the "quirky Canadian comedy" tradition à la "Rare Birds," "Shipping News," and yes, "Strange Brew," "Men With Brooms" exalts the quirky charm of the Canadian character. This is evident from the film's opening scene, which pans from a gorgeous shot of the Canadian wilderness to an avant-garde bagpiper (who makes several appearances throughout the film) and a whole lotta computer-generated beavers (yes, beavers!). The film's music, much like that of "Due South," also serves to promote Canadian talent: The Tragically Hip (who also make an appearance as a curling team at the bonspiel), Sarah Harmer, Our Lady Peace, The New Pornographers, Sean McDonald, Big Sugar, Tom Wilson, the Matthew Good Band, Pepper Sands, Chantal Kreviazuk, Holly McNarland, and a beautiful country-rock love ballad by Paul Gross (who has released two albums, "Two Houses" and "Love and Carnage" as well as contributions to the "Due South" soundtracks). A very pleasing film on a number of levels and a darn tootin' lot o' fun, too, eh?!? There is some strong language and a number of implied sexual scenes, so if this offends you consider yourself forewarned. If you love oddball humour, Canadian films, curling or any combination of the three, this film is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Quirky, lovable Canadian comedy with star power
Review: "I think that there is something really fantastic about Canadian iconography," confesses actor/director/writer/musician Paul Gross, better known as überpolite, by-the-book RCMP Constable Benton Fraser on "Due South." "When you think about it, it's sort of bizarre--beaver, maple leaf. There is an oddball quality to it that is both noble, melancholy and laughable all at the same time, and I think that there is something really wonderful in that." Which pretty much sums up "Men With Brooms," a quirky Canadian comedy that sweeps audiences off its feet (bad curling pun intended). If "Men With Brooms" suffers from one particular ailment, it would be that it tries to be a number of different films rolled into one: a love story, a buddy film, a curling documentary of sorts, the quintessential Canadian comedy. But the strength of its original script and ensemble cast really shines. Big name Canadian talent includes Paul Gross ("Due South," "Hamlet" at Stratford), Molly Parker ("Five Senses," "Rare Birds,") and Leslie Nielsen ("Due South," "Airplane," "Naked Gun"), although all of the actors do a fantastic job. The basic premise is that Donald Foley, the beloved coach of the Long Bay, Ontario curling team has just died, and in his videotaped will he wants the team to reunite and attempt to win the Golden Broom, the most prestigious award in curling. The skip, Chris Cutter, left town ten years ago after losing an important game and leaving his fiancée Julie, Donald's daughter, standing at the altar. Now he has to attempt the impossible by reuniting his old teammates (a drug dealer, a mortician in a lifeless marriage, and a frustrated husband with a single-digit sperm count) and attempting to win the Golden Broom, as well with making peace with his father (Leslie Neilsen), Julie and himself. In the "quirky Canadian comedy" tradition à la "Rare Birds," "Shipping News," and yes, "Strange Brew," "Men With Brooms" exalts the quirky charm of the Canadian character. This is evident from the film's opening scene, which pans from a gorgeous shot of the Canadian wilderness to an avant-garde bagpiper (who makes several appearances throughout the film) and a whole lotta computer-generated beavers (yes, beavers!). The film's music, much like that of "Due South," also serves to promote Canadian talent: The Tragically Hip (who also make an appearance as a curling team at the bonspiel), Sarah Harmer, Our Lady Peace, The New Pornographers, Sean McDonald, Big Sugar, Tom Wilson, the Matthew Good Band, Pepper Sands, Chantal Kreviazuk, Holly McNarland, and a beautiful country-rock love ballad by Paul Gross (who has released two albums, "Two Houses" and "Love and Carnage" as well as contributions to the "Due South" soundtracks). A very pleasing film on a number of levels and a darn tootin' lot o' fun, too, eh?!? There is some strong language and a number of implied sexual scenes, so if this offends you consider yourself forewarned. If you love oddball humour, Canadian films, curling or any combination of the three, this film is for you.
Rating: 
Summary: The World's Second-Most Boring Sport..
Review: "Lagaan" proved a couple of years ago that you could make a good movie about a truly boring sport: cricket. You can even make a movie that makes it almost comprehensible. Now, "Men With Brooms" shows that you can make a good and funny movie about another boring sport: curling. While no one will be nominating "Men With Brooms" for any awards, it's a surprisingly watchable, funny movie that follows the good, old-fashioned 'reunite the underdogs' sports movie formula with a bit of "Red Green"esque Canadian men making gentle fun of themselves. Sadly, I think it never saw an American release, but its worth adding to anyone's collection of funny sports movies. Even the performances in this movie break above the usual sports/romantic comedy level. Paul Gross (who I have sadly never seen in "Due South") plays a convincingly cynical sports star come home to small-town Ontario. Leslie Nielsen breaks typecast for a crotchety, but still-funny former curling star, and Bob Bainborough (Dalton Humphrey on "Red Green") steals his scenes as a curling announcer reminiscent of a less-grating Bob Uecker in "Major League". I recommend this movie for sports nuts, romantic comedy fans, and people with a soft spot for Canadian humor. I found it to be a pleasant surprise, and I'll bet you will too...
Rating:
Summary: The World's Second-Most Boring Sport..
Review: "Lagaan" proved a couple of years ago that you could make a good movie about a truly boring sport: cricket. You can even make a movie that makes it almost comprehensible. Now, "Men With Brooms" shows that you can make a good and funny movie about another boring sport: curling. While no one will be nominating "Men With Brooms" for any awards, it's a surprisingly watchable, funny movie that follows the good, old-fashioned 'reunite the underdogs' sports movie formula with a bit of "Red Green"esque Canadian men making gentle fun of themselves. Sadly, I think it never saw an American release, but its worth adding to anyone's collection of funny sports movies. Even the performances in this movie break above the usual sports/romantic comedy level. Paul Gross (who I have sadly never seen in "Due South") plays a convincingly cynical sports star come home to small-town Ontario. Leslie Nielsen breaks typecast for a crotchety, but still-funny former curling star, and Bob Bainborough (Dalton Humphrey on "Red Green") steals his scenes as a curling announcer reminiscent of a less-grating Bob Uecker in "Major League". I recommend this movie for sports nuts, romantic comedy fans, and people with a soft spot for Canadian humor. I found it to be a pleasant surprise, and I'll bet you will too...
Rating:
Summary: The World's Second-Most Boring Sport..
Review: "Lagaan" proved a couple of years ago that you could make a good movie about a truly boring sport: cricket. You can even make a movie that makes it almost comprehensible. Now, "Men With Brooms" shows that you can make a good and funny movie about another boring sport: curling. While no one will be nominating "Men With Brooms" for any awards, it's a surprisingly watchable, funny movie that follows the good, old-fashioned 'reunite the underdogs' sports movie formula with a bit of "Red Green"esque Canadian men making gentle fun of themselves. Sadly, I think it never saw an American release, but its worth adding to anyone's collection of funny sports movies. Even the performances in this movie break above the usual sports/romantic comedy level. Paul Gross (who I have sadly never seen in "Due South") plays a convincingly cynical sports star come home to small-town Ontario. Leslie Nielsen breaks typecast for a crotchety, but still-funny former curling star, and Bob Bainborough (Dalton Humphrey on "Red Green") steals his scenes as a curling announcer reminiscent of a less-grating Bob Uecker in "Major League". I recommend this movie for sports nuts, romantic comedy fans, and people with a soft spot for Canadian humor. I found it to be a pleasant surprise, and I'll bet you will too...
Rating:
Summary: A great curling comedy. No, seriously!
Review: A bunch of friends and I found this movie in an attempt to have a movie night of "non-sport" sport movies. We thought, "Surely, a Canadian movie about curling made by and starring the star of ASPEN EXTREME and featuring Leslie Nielsen will have to be so bad, it'll amaze us." Well, we were amazed, but not by its badness. It wasn't what I would call a genuinely amazing movie, either. I guess it was amazing in how NOT bad it was. Paul Gross and company do trot out many of the underdog sports movie clichés but always with just the faintest hint of tongue-in-cheek to keep the viewer from feeling like it's just another silly sports movie. Leslie Nielsen is also a nice touch. He gets to exercise his straight comedic talents for a change, and I personally think he's much more interesting when he does. It's still a silly comedy, but it's fun that you won't feel so guilty about liking. I recommend you check it out if you get a chance. (Besides, you have to see it if only so you can check out the rival team in polka dot lamé track suits and the inexplicable abundance of beavers that show up rather randomly throughout the movie.)
Rating:
Summary: A great curling comedy. No, seriously!
Review: A bunch of friends and I found this movie in an attempt to have a movie night of "non-sport" sport movies. We thought, "Surely, a Canadian movie about curling made by and starring the star of ASPEN EXTREME and featuring Leslie Nielsen will have to be so bad, it'll amaze us." Well, we were amazed, but not by its badness. It wasn't what I would call a genuinely amazing movie, either. I guess it was amazing in how NOT bad it was. Paul Gross and company do trot out many of the underdog sports movie clichés but always with just the faintest hint of tongue-in-cheek to keep the viewer from feeling like it's just another silly sports movie. Leslie Nielsen is also a nice touch. He gets to exercise his straight comedic talents for a change, and I personally think he's much more interesting when he does. It's still a silly comedy, but it's fun that you won't feel so guilty about liking. I recommend you check it out if you get a chance. (Besides, you have to see it if only so you can check out the rival team in polka dot lamé track suits and the inexplicable abundance of beavers that show up rather randomly throughout the movie.)
Rating:
Summary: Despite some minor flaws, it's still a great movie
Review: Being a big curling fan, I had to see this movie the day it came out, and I was not disappointed. I thought the swearing was a bit crude on the first viewing, but when I watched it a second time it didn't bother me. You don't have to be very knowledgable about curling to enjoy the movie, and I don't think you have to be Canadian to understand the humour, but a few of the little in-jokes might be lost... like the "Hinterland Who's Who" segment playing on the TV in the bar. ;) Best moments:
Peter Outerbridge shines as James Lennox. The humour is great and quirky, and the friendship between the characters is nice. This is one of the best Leslie Nielson roles I've seen in a long time, where he got the chance to be funny, but wasn't slapstick to the point of being utterly stupid. Besides, you have to love a movie with a cameo by The Tragically Hip. Downfalls:
It's a bit rough around the edges at times, and I still don't see the point of Michelle Nolden's character (Julie Foley, the astronaut) at all. Overall, it's worth watching, and the soundtrack is great.
Rating:
Summary: Canadians will love this movie. Americans? OK, I guess so.
Review: I am a fan of the great series "Due South" and its star Paul Gross. So, I snatched up this film when I discovered that Gross and regular "Due South" guest star Leslie Nielson starred in it. I liked it. I really did. Gross is likable, as is the rest of the cast. I always love Nielson, and he does well in this film. But I couldn't help thinking that I was missing out on a lot of the jokes. There was a lot of humor or references that I suspect that only Canadians would appreciate. Not that I didn't enjoy this film--I certainly did. It was sweet and quirky. And even though I had no clue about this game with brooms that they were playing, I grasped enough to root for them. But that feeling of, "I'm think I'm missing something here" was in the back of my mind a lot of the time. Oh well, I still recommend this film. Especially if you are a Paul Gross or Leslie Nielson fan.
Rating:
Summary: Great fun for a date
Review: I caught this over the weekend and then had to go back. What a sweet, funny movie! I'm so glad it finally got a big-screen release in the USA! The Canadian setting and the curling give the movie a freshness to US eyes, even though the sports story is a classic. There's also a heartfelt story about finding love and redemption. Strong women characters raise this above the usual male-oriented comedy film, and there's a lot of verbal humor as well as slapstick. Paul Gross does a wonderful job as the prodigal son. His character is flawed but likable and he's devastatingly attractive. His many fans from his days as the Mountie on "Due South" will not be disappointed.
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