SIX FIGURES

By Rick Jackson

Written and directed by David Christenson, Six Figures is one of the most excruciating dull films I have ever sat through. The entire cast all talk in such monotone voices there isn't one redeeming character.

Christenson's screenplay is based on the novel by Fred Leebron which focuses on a man in his mid-thirties and his mid-life crisis. Not having the book, I cannot tell how faithful he is to it.

J. R. Bourne plays Warner, who works at a corporation where he is a dealing with an important client. It's an important portfolio and unbeknownst to him his success or failure with the company will decide if he will be kept on or dismissed. During this whole time, he and his wife Claire (Caroline Cave) have bought a house. You also learn that she has been given a raise at her job at the local gallery where she is a valuable employee. Meanwhile, Warner is put on probation when his deal doesn't come through. Just before that happens, his supervisor advises him this is not the right time to buy a new home.

When Claire is later beaten up in what may be a robbery attempt, since this is not made clear, the entire film changes direction by becoming a case of wife abuse due to Warner's past history. It all ends up being a long winded daytime drama with the authorities seemingly taking control of a situation still under investigation.

Poorly edited by Emma Barry who lets you assume the worst in deciding Warner's fate, the entire film is mired in a series of predictable events and emotions which are completely cliched. You've also seen it all before.

The rest of the cast features Deborah Grover as Claire's mother, Louise; Brooklynn Proulx as Sophie, Warner and Claire's oldest child; Andrew Krivanek as Dr. Lyon, and Marty Antonini as Detective Norton.

Christenson's latest effort is timeworn and hardly exciting. You don't need to be reminded of your financial problems, especially if you have recently gone through something like this. For those who haven't, it is an example of the worst acting in a Canadian film so far this year.

It is rated 14A, with the warnings: coarse language and mature theme.

March 11, 2006

Copyright 2006 Rick Jackson