Screen/Society--Quebec Cinema Series--"Route 132"

Film Screening--"Route 132" (Louis Belanger, 2010, 113 min, Canada, French with English subtitles, Color, 35mm) This film tells the story of two old friends - Montréal resident Gilles (François Papineau), a college professor, and Bob (Alexis Martin), a small-time crook. The two reconnect by chance at a time when Gilles is struggling to cope with the death of his son. Together they drunkenly scheme to knock off several banks in the countryside. As they leave Montréal and set out on Route 132, they visit several of Gilles's family members who have also suffered losses. In a surprising reversal, the two friends switch roles - Gilles, throwing all caution aside, and Bob, taking on a more responsible role. The exchange between the two characters and the contrast between the city and country combine to diminish the sentimentality of the story and create a comical tone.