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THINGS TO DO
Directed by: Theodore Bezaire.
Produced by: Gerry J. Lattmann.
Written by: Bezaire & Michael Stasko.
Director of Photography: Eric Schiller.
Edited by: Bezaire & Stasko.
Released by: LifeSize.
Country of Origin: Canada. 85 min. Not Rated.
With: Mike Stasko & Daniel Wilson.
Special Features: Director commentary. Behind-the-scenes featurette. Excerpts from “The Carlisle Show.” Trailer.

Adam Stevenson (Michael Stasko) was an office worker working the 9-to-5 grind in Toronto. It doesn’t matter that his company is never named – it’s like any other workplace, full of supply closets and people who keep to themselves. His best friend, in the cubicle next to his, took a three-month leave of absence that Adam never bothered to inquire about, both while his friend was away and when he came back. This would be your typical group of alienated worker bees, but most don’t witness their only office friend’s willful suicide jump from a rooftop.

It’s not clear whether Adam quits or gets fired, but it’s apparent that the suicide has left him drained and listless, forcing him to move back in with his parents. Upon his return, they treat him like a child, his only remaining friend from high school, Mac, continues to act like a child, and his only motivation to get out of bed each morning is to complete his to-do list, which includes items like beating up the school bully and building a soapbox car to race against 12-year-olds.

It’s another deadpan Garden State, though Canadian. The quirky Natalie Portman character that spurs our sour and sulky lead onto a soul-searching journey of self-acceptance is Mac, but the only love interest here is Adam’s high school crush.

Overall, the acting is solid. Michael Stasko’s sighs and blank stares work well. While psychological circumstances are given to Adam, happy-go-lucky Mac, who first annoys but quickly inspires his friend, is never given a proper dissection, simply existing to encourage Adam. But Daniel Wilson plays Mac with intensity and vague pain beneath his joking surface, as if an explanation for his character’s childish behavior could be imagined. (Adam dreams of skydiving, while Mac yearns to cover someone’s face with whipped cream in their sleep.)

DVD Extras: Like many who don’t know what to do with their lives and find themselves living at their parents’ home, Adam watches a lot of television and relates to “The Carlisle Show.” This afternoon talk show parody winds up in full as an extra. About eight-tenths of the program is already in the film, so it’s an appreciated but somewhat unnecessary addition. The director’s commentary is notable if you’re keen on hearing the in’s and out’s of making independent movies on shoestring budgets. The real gem, the behind-the-scenes featurette, features interviews from cast members to the makeup girl. John Waters has said that it would be a fine day when filmmakers realized those with the most interesting things to say about film production were the wardrobe and makeup people. He may not be entirely correct, but it’s still worth hearing them have their say. Zachary Jones
May 9, 2007