By Elizabeth Trovall

Photo courtesy of Citizen Jane Film Festival

Coinciding appropriately with the circus-inspired theme of the Citizen Jane Film Festival, A Wake felt a bit like a freak show. With improv-driven dialogue and insane plot twists, the film centers on the death of an eccentric theatre director and a neurotic troupe of actors who are invited to his Canadian home for a night to make their peace.

So, what peace must they make? This question drives the film’s twisted plot and unscripted dialogue. Director Penelope Buitenhuis labels the movie “a mystery” quite appropriately. As the story unfolds, each character reveals a different reason for their presence at the home of their far-from-innocent colleague.

Buitenhuis’ reasoning behind the ambitious improv-based scripting was her search for truth — emotional truth and truthful dialogue. And though some of the moments in the film shine with garishly honest performances, what is lacking is the philosophical truth. The “mystery” is: What exactly is the director’s message about life and death?

Throughout the movie, the loud, loosely tailored emotional journey is overwhelming. With such a raw hashing out of a storyline, what’s left behind is a truly fascinating package of intensity and messy exchanges. The actors take their wit and wits for a ride, letting fear, anger, regret, love and forgiveness take them on a journey into the unknown. Maybe it’s not a journey for everybody, but it’s certainly a journey that’s unique.

Overall, A Wake is beautifully shot, well performed, emotionally stirring, engaging and not at all as bleak and blistery as a movie set during a Canadian winter could be. And as are all movies about death, this film is really about life, the people the dead leave behind and their unfinished business with the deceased.

Vox Rating: VVV = MAKE THE MATINEE