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Created Mar 04, 2011 08:53AM PST • Edited Mar 04, 2011 09:00AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Good 3.0

   A funny indie comedy about a 17 y/o student who believes he is the re-incarnation of Leon Trotsky, the communist revolutionary who created the Red Army. Leon Bronstein (Jay Baruchel) is the son of an upper middle-class family, who happens to share the same name as Trotsky. He’s also convinced he needs to live his life as Trotsky did, including marrying an older woman named Alexandra, and being assassinated, just as the real Trotsky had been.

   As a self-confessed neophyte to famous Russian historical figures, I was leery about watching a film based on a character I admittedly did not know much about, much less shared political viewpoints with. But this movie won me over with it’s witty intellect, and warm appeal.

   Leon leads a series of political protests, as he is convinced is his destiny. He leads a hunger strike at his father’s factory to protest shortened lunch breaks. His dad, furious with him, withdraws him from private school and sends him to a public high school in Montreal, the film’s setting. Leon quickly seizes the opportunity to become involved in school politics, defending those he feels are oppressed by the principal and staff, and joining the student union, only to find out they aren’t really a union, but are only allowed to host the school dance. True to form, he convinces them to have the theme for the dance be “Social Justices.” Leon is passionate about social justices and stopping the opressions of high school, but is surrounded by “apathy and boredom.”

   Throughout the film, there are several clever political references, without becoming too overbearing. Baruchel does a wonderful job in capturing the comic angst of a young man who struggles with political reform in a high school setting. Think of his role as a political Ferris Bueller.

   Watched on Netflix streaming.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Jay Baruchel does a really nice job in capturing the angst and passion of a revoltionary leader. I continue to be impressed with his abilities.

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

6. Female Stars Good 3.0

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

10. Film

    OK 2.5

    Good overall production quality.

11. Direction Good 3.0

    I didn’t know much about Trotsky before the film, but picked up some of the subtle references to him and communism through some of the scenes. I suppose someone who is more familiar would enjoy the film that much more. For example, a repeated fantasy scene of Leon in a baby carriage, is a reference to a soviet film from the middle of the 20th century. Fortunately, it didn’t distract from my enjoyment of the film.

12. Play OK 2.5

    The film played a bit erratic at times with pacing issues, but managed to keep me involved.

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals Good 3.0

    There is something comical about the self-percieved importance of Leon’s missions that are nicely captured in this film.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.6

17. Sex Innocent 1.0

18. Violence Fierce 1.7

    Hostage scene

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

    Frequent swearing

21. Reality

    Glib 1.4

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.1

    Some weird dreams, along with some unlikely events and actions. Also had a problem with Leo, at 17 y/o, having a 27 y/o girlfriend.

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0