At first glance, this film presents nothing more than the countless others in its genre, running headlong into every rock and roll cliche including the sex and drugs, but underneath the low budget exterior there is a film that delivers genuine moments of laughter and a hour and a half of entertainment.
One of the many Canadian films coming to this year’s extended Calgary International Film Festival, Goldirocks is the first feature film of director/screenwriter Paula Tiberius and follows a series of well-received shorts. Drawing on her experiences as a participant in Toronto’s swiftly changing rock scene in 1984 and filmed at many local hotspots, Tiberius’ film offers advice on finding your inner rock star.
Sasha Ormond gives an enthusiastic, if at times awkward, performance as Goldi, a promiscuous rock chick with an affinity for musicians. We catch a first glimpse of this as she willingly and easily beds Robin Black (playing himself) after his show. This wild side is a stark contrast to her dreary day job as waitress in a coffee shop where she has to deal with the same cranky customers day after day, trying to find time to write songs she never expects to sing.
In her hunt for an apartment we are introduced to the three most interesting characters of the film, three musicians and roommates with a band called Neglected. Through the course of the film we see Goldi move in with the three and try to sleep her way into the band. She finally achieves what she desires, but it takes a turn for the worse when the singer, threatened by her energy and star power, ejects her from the group.
In the end, Goldi discovers, with the help of a few friends, she doesn’t need anyone else to make her dreams come true and she might even decide to settle down. And the moral of the story is… ?
With some great music by some incredible bands (vocals provided by Ormond herself), a cast who seem to be comfortable in front of the camera, flawless film work and attention to those little details that really make a movie, this is a uniquely Canadian film about rock and roll. So go and support your fellow Canadians, because nobody rocks harder.
Goldirocks is playing at the Plaza on Thu., Oct. 2 at 77p.m. Director Paula Tiberius will be in attendance.