1981 is a film inspired by the director's childhood in Quebec and to me it's somewhat reminiscent of The Wonder Years, a popular series with Fred Savage which took place during the late 60s and early 70s.
What I loved about this film by Ricardo Trogi is that it's so chock-full of French-Canadian culture from the time-period it takes place. It's like the film-version of a time-capsule. I enjoyed seeing the
hair, fashion, music, toys, cars, technology and Consumers Distributing which was a popular catalog store in Canada during that time. There is also mention of popular American culture which crossed over into the current culture like the movie Star Wars and TV show Bionic Woman.
Humor is interjected into the film with Ricardo's imaginings of Nazis and Le Petit Prince, a creation by St. Exupery,who also happens to be who the kids' new school is named for.
Ricardo is a new kid at school who has many
challenges. He can’t write longhand. He has no friends. He develops a crush on Anne,
the class brainiac who is assigned to help him with his longhand.
He’s obsessed with getting things, especially from the Consumers Distributing catalog.
He’s obsessed with getting things, especially from the Consumers Distributing catalog.
In order to be accepted at his new school, he starts to get
into the habit of telling lies. One of those lies is to his new friends promising to get Playboy magazines. Here's a link to some Vintage playboy from 1981.
The realities of life are clear to Ricardo when his father tells him that they'll have to sell the house they just bought and moved into.
When he starts trying to tell the truth, Ricardo finds he has some physical symptoms.Truth-telling between him and his buddies leads to some very interesting and touching revelations.
Some Quotes from this film:
"Back then the leader of Italy was named Benito. Benito Mussolini was their leader. If you named your son Benito, you got a check for $1. People were so poor, it worked. ---Ricardo
"At your age I'd never have dared ask my dad for a $400 watch."---Benito, Ricardo's father to Ricardo
"It's better to lie than to look dumb." ---Ricardo
"Anything essential is invisible to the eyes." ---quote by Antoine St. Exupery, shared by Aline, Ricardo's teacher
“Do you know how sick you make us always asking for stuff? “–Ricardo’s mother
"Lie again and it'll be the last lie you ever tell, understand?" ---Nazi officer
"The damn truth only works if everyone's telling it. If it's only you, it's useless."---Ricardo
Here are a few scenes from this film:
Here's the trailer:
Unfortunately there's no subtitles for it! Sorry about that! But at least it'll give you some idea of what this film is like. Probably fine for those of you who understand a bit of French.
