The Trotsky – An Alliance Films Release

http://www.thetrotskymovie.com/

DVD Release Date: October 5th, 2010

Rated 14A for coarse language and substance abuse.

Running time: 113 minutes

Jacob Tierney (dir.)

Jacob Tierney (writer)

Malajube (music)

Jay Baruchel as Leon Bronstein

Domini Blythe as Mrs. Danvers

Geneviève Bujold as Denise Archambault

Colm Feore as Principal Berkhoff

Emily Hampshire as Alexandra Leith

Michael Murphy as Frank McGovern

Tommie Amber Pirie as Sarah Bronstein

Saul Rubinek as David Bronstein

Bonus Features Include:

(En anglais seulement)

• Director’s commentary

• Making of The Trotsky

• Bloopers

• Deleted scenes

Our reviews below:

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The Trotsky DVD Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

Montreal high schooler Leon Bronstein (a perfectly cast Jay Baruchel) honestly believes that when Leon Trotsky died, the Russian revolutionary’s soul was reincarnated in his body.  After trying to unionize his father’s business, Leon is sent to public school where he takes it upon himself to unionize the students and give them more rights.  Following his ‘fate,’ Leon tackles the oppression while chasing the love of Alexandra (Emily Hampshire) – an older woman with the same name as Trotsky’s first wife.

It’s impossible not to feel a touch of Canadian rebel uprising when Leon puts his plan into play while K’Naan blares on the soundtrack, but what makes The Trotsky so entertaining is the smart script filled with knowing one liners and historical references.  With more than a touch of the great Rushmore, this is a highly intelligent and equally hilarious comedy that actually has a lot to say about high school life.

The DVD includes commentary with writer-director Jacob Tierney, bloopers, deleted scenes and an interesting making of featurette.

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The Trotsky DVD Review By Erin V.

***1/2 (out of 4)

“Where is our union representative?”  It’s this question that Leon Bronstein puts forth to his father employing him in a summer job at his business.  His father, (whom Leon deems a ‘fascist’) is not amused, and decides that come fall, his son will be going to public school for his senior year, rather than private.  Undeterred by the strict school, Leon decides to truly unionize it for the students, in one of his first steps towards a real revolution.  He’s just another teenager with ambitions…  except for one small thing:  Leon believes with all his heart that he is the reincarnation of Leon Trotsky.

He’s delusional – that much is clear, but you can’t help believing in what he wants to do and rooting for him to succeed.  His ideas are clear, and he is a good leader.  He faces stiff opposition to his ideas of giving the students a voice, by the principal, teachers and school board – but it’s dealing with the other students that may be harder than he anticipated.  If the school’s going to change, the rest of the students are going to have to want it as much as him.  The question is; is their attitude because of boredom or apathy?

I liked the characters here, and thought the cast gave good performances.  The script is sharp, witty, and never boring.  The awkward confidence Jay Baruchel gives Leon is pitch perfect, from his leadership demonstrations, to his attempts to catch the attention of the older Alexandra – who he decides is destined to become his wife.

The Trotsky has a real Canadian feel, although it is a high school movie that I think will be enjoyed over the border as well.  It has pretty universal themes, and is well made (which is what counts).  Now that it’s on DVD, I’d definitely recommend seeking this one out.  It’s more than worth it.

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The Trotsky DVD Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

The Trotsky is a hilarious Canadian high school comedy.  Set in Montreal’s anglophone West Island and starring a mainly Québec cast, this film stars Montreal’s own Jay Barachel as Leon Bronstein, a high school student with big ambitions.  He is under the delusion that he is none other than the reincarnation of Leon Trotsky.  His life goal involves copying Trotsky’s life, which includes falling in love with an older woman named Alexandra, and changing the world.

Bronstein, believing his father is a Fascist, decides to go on a quest to unionize everything, starting with his father’s company to high school.  At school, Bronstein’s goal is to get the student union on his side, much to the dismay of the strict teacher and principal.

The Trotsky is a thoroughly funny, clever film.  Leon Bronstein is a likable character, who believes that kids should have a say in their education.  Bronstein, in some ways, reminds me of Max Fisher of Wes Anderson’s Rushmore, but with more confidence and maturity.

The Trotsky is a great and inspiring Canadian film that should not be missed.

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The Trotsky DVD Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

Life can be tough in highschool.  It’s even tougher when you think you are the reincarnation of Russian revolutionary leader, Leon Trotsky.  Leon Bronstein (Jay Baruchel) is a West-end Montreal high school senior who believes his life’s destiny is to parallel the life experiences of Leon Trotsky.

First, he must start a revolution.  Leon’s first act of revolution is to encourage the workers at his father’s company to start a union.  His father is, as Leon says, ‘a Fascist.’  Leon’s father’s response is to send him to public school for his final year.  Public school is very different from private school as Leon discovers.  Students don’t have much say in how things are run, so of course Leon helps them form a union.  A couple of arrests for public disturbances are character building and exactly what Trotsky would have experienced.

Next on the list for Leon is love.  Trotsky loved a woman named Alexandra.  So when Leon meets an older woman with that name he knows the relationship is meant to be.  However, Alexandra (Emily Hampshire) doesn’t feel the same way, though she does end up being supportive.

The Trotsky is an intelligent, very funny movie.  Jay Baruchel plays the delusional Leon with such sincerity that you can’t help but be on his side when the world seems to be crashing down around him.  Even if you don’t know a lot about the Russian revolution or Leon Trotsky the message about following your beliefs and passion comes through in a very entertaining and Canadian way.  With a strong Canadian cast, sharp, funny dialogue set in the one and only Montreal this is a must see Canadian film.

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The Trotsky DVD Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

The Trotsky is Leon Bronstein (Jay Baruchel), a Montreal West high school kid convinced he is the reincarnation of the Russian revolutionary with the same birth name. Having envisioned a similar life including ultimate assassination, he incites a walkout in his father’s (Saul Rubinek) factory, resulting in exile from private to public school. Turning the student union from a social committee to a real union striking against oppression does not impress the school administration, including the principal (Colm Feore), a stickler teacher (Domini Blythe) and ultimately the school district head Mme. Archambault (Geneviève Bujold). Leon enlists support from Frank McGovern (Michael Murphy), a veteran of the 1960s Berkeley demonstrations and Archambault’s former partner, now a law professor who would much rather hang out sharing a joint with his young new wife.  When Leon discovers McGovern’s graduate student is named Alexandra (Emily Hampshire), he woos her as the reincarnation of Trotsky’s first wife, with awkward results.

As Montreal natives of mixed Jewish/Goyish heritage, both writer/director Jacob Tierney and Jay Baruchel have made an ideal team in this quirky comedy. The fine supporting cast, spanning several generations of the best acting talent resident in Canada is clearly having a great time with the witty script. Though Leon is clearly delusional, you can’t help liking and rooting for him.

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Consensus: With an intelligent script and a winning performance by Jay Baruchel, The Trotsky is a very entertaining Canadian high school comedy. ***1/2 (Out of 4)