Down to the Dirt (2008) User Reviews

Things I Learned from Down to the Dirt

[lordredblue · 2/10 · 6 February 2018]

1. I'm a fool for sitting through the entire movie hoping something interesting will happen eventually.

2. There be rednecks in Canada.

3. In a town where cops let known major alcoholics, pedophiles and arsonists walk/drive freely with impunity, people are afraid to gather lawfully in a remote forest location.

4. Bad poetry can always get you in hot dates and get you out of jail free.

5. Bad poetry is no longer confined to Britain. It has spread to Canada. Along with bagpipes.

6. Bagpipes is a symbol of culture. Such symbols will eventually drive people to consume hallucinogenics.

7. Prostitutes will give you freebies if they learn you are not a local.

8. You should always accept an invitation to meet your prostitute's pimp/bf/husband. You never know what goodies you can mooch off them.

9. A cat does not have 9 lives. Maybe 3. No more than 4 certainly.

10. If you are rooting for a bad man to fire a flare gun in the main character's eye, you should probably walk out of the movie.

11. If your audience will care more about a minor cat character's life in the movie than that of the main character, you should probably not make that movie.

12. I'm a damned fool.

Ignore the rating, and watch this film

[johannadillman · 9/10 · 13 December 2009]

Okay, I'm often in agreement with a lot of ratings that movies get on IMDb, but I can't believe this film only has 4.5 stars. I also just finished reading one of the previous reviews warning potential viewers that they won't be interested in this film if they aren't amused by animals being beaten to death, and the heart of the story is lost from that point forward. I believe that comment is so grossly misrepresenting of Down to the Dirt, that I was moved enough to write my own commentary.

Joel Hynes offers a truly stellar performance, providing the viewers with an endearing, and honest character, that immediately hooks you into his life. Hynes' talent is evident with his intimate understanding (and subsequent 'spot on' portrayal) of the character, offering subtle character traits and developments that are a joy to pick up on. I was even more amazed to learn he had written the original novel that the film later arose from, and this helps explain why he could offer a character that I got so attached to. I can't wait to see what else this talented guy has going on. Mylene Savoie also delivers a great performance, as do pretty much all the other actors and actresses fulfilling the smaller parts.

The setting is another treasure in this movie, with the East Coast of Canada offering a unique and endearing geography that anchors a large part of the character's attitudes and the storyline as a whole.

The beginning of the movie is actually the weakest part of the film, but by the end I didn't want the movie to end. A steady story development guided with some great narration, leads to a progressively engaging film. The performances, on-screen chemistry, and story just get better and better and better.

I had never heard about this movie before picking it up at the store, and I have to say you should definitely SEE THIS FILM! I think that comment about poor animal cruelty humour and a movie with no heart is completely off the mark of the essence behind, and intent of, the story. The rating is vastly misleading too. Down to the Dirt is a gem, and I highly recommend it.

Started out okay.

[ragboypizza · 29 May 2009]

Wow, a Canadian movie that doesn't feel like a Canadian movie! What's ironic is that most crappy Canadian movies try their best to hide the fact they're Canadian. The story will be set New York (shot in Toronto, hardly NYC) or some generic American city, town, suburb, etc.

This movie is proud of the fact it's set in Eastern Canada and doesn't feel the need to give us stupid postcard shots and bagpipes (the bagpipes remark is a joke related to the movie, by the way).

But then we get to the horrible animal murder played for laughs. I don't want to give away too much, but unless you find someone bashing a cat to death with a rock humorous, you might want to avoid this movie. Well, the cat is in pain but that's thanks to the lead character's actions. As he bashes the cats skull in with a rock, he blathers on in voice over about being a fighter, like the cat I guess. Because the cat won't die. Hilarious. Then the murdered cat is forgotten by the next scene (because the lead character is back to feeling sorry for only for himself). It's safe to say the movie pretty much lost its heart by this point and the lead character has lost all sympathy.

One thing I want to mention, though, is the leading lady Mylène Savoie. She's a great actress and a pleasure to watch. Too bad the writer didn't concentrate only on her and write the cat killer out of the script, perhaps by horrible death.

The rest of the movie goes on to explore how self-absorbed the drug and alcohol-addicted main character really is. There's no limit to his self-love and depravity (berating everyone, stealing, pilfering, etc, etc.)

Sounds like a good time, eh?