Plot
A group of very different individuals with different ideas of how to face the end come together as the world is expected to end in six hours at the turn of the century.
Release Year: 1998
Rating: 7.3/10 (5,781 voted)
Critic's Score: 65/100
Director:
Don McKellar
Stars: Don McKellar, Sandra Oh, Roberta Maxwell
Storyline It's 18:00 in a somewhat deserted Toronto on the last day before the scheduled end of the world at midnight, the end which has been known now for months. Most people are treating midnight as a matter-of-fact event with little sense of panic. In fact, many are celebrating this last day. Most have very specific wants for this last day and will do whatever they need to to make those wants happen. And some, such as Duncan and Donna with the gas company, are working, ensuring that the masses are served and comfortable during the final hours. The Wheeler family are marking the last day by having a Christmas party, although sullen adult son Patrick, his thoughts in part stemming from being recently widowed, has made it clear he wants to be alone in his own home at the end. Patrick's wants may be in jeopardy when a woman named Sandra - Duncan's wife - lands on his doorstep. Sandra is stranded...
Cast: Don McKellar
-
Patrick Wheeler
Sandra Oh
-
Sandra
Roberta Maxwell
-
Mrs. Wheeler
Robin Gammell
-
Mr. Wheeler
Sarah Polley
-
Jennifer 'Jenny' Wheeler
Trent McMullen
-
Alex
Charmion King
-
Grandmother
Jessica Booker
-
Rose
David Cronenberg
-
Duncan
Tracy Wright
-
Donna
Callum Keith Rennie
-
Craig Zwiller
Karen Glave
-
Lily
Arsinée Khanjian
-
Streetcar Mother
Chandra Muszka
-
Streetcar Daughter
Geneviève Bujold
-
Mrs. Carlton
Taglines:
It's not the end of the world... there's still six hours left
Release Date: 23 October 1998
Filming Locations: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Box Office Details
Budget: $2,000,000
(estimated)
Gross: £40,591
(UK)
(4 July 1999)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
The "toughs" whom Patrick and Sandra stop to ask for a ride are played by producer Daniel Iron and Canadian filmmakers Bruce McDonald (bearded) and Francois Girard (driving).
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes:
In the early moments of the movie, when the car in up on it's bumper against the pole. The girl puts her keys in the door to unlock it and when the door opens, the bell goes off, to alert that the keys are in the ignition or that the lights are on. Neither is true.
Quotes: Patrick Wheeler:
I think maybe I should mention before you make any faux pas here, that we have a tradition in this family, that we don't kill other people.
User Review
I joined IMDb to write this
Rating: 10/10
There are films that are great, but by virtue of their intelligence and
understatement fall through the cracks - or go on over the years to
achieve 'cult' status. Paul Auster's 'Smoke', or Thomas McCarthy's 'The
Station Agent' are a couple. This is such a film, and for fans of these
types of 'smarter', less 'hollywood' productions there is no greater
cinematic experience than finding such a gem. This is unpretentious and
real - and ultimately honest and rewarding. Don McKellar has crafted
something really special.
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