Music: {allcanada} McDonald's 'Trigger' profound

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

{allcanada} McDonald's 'Trigger' profound

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Bruce McDonald's Trigger, not to be confused with cowboy star Roy Roger's legendary horse, is a tough, brutally honest and cool Canadian film. Otherwise, they might easily be mistaken for one another because McDonald is also known for his cowboy hats.

Trigger, which opens at the Bell Lightbox on Thursday, has a quirky attitude and a tragi-comic tone. But it is also haunting to those who are in the know because of a real-life tragedy. One of the co-stars, Toronto actress Tracy Wright, died of pancreatic cancer after the film was wrapped. While the production had already been planned before she was diagnosed late in 2009, the shooting schedule was drastically accelerated and Wright filmed with co-star Molly Parker while undergoing treatments. She died in June, mourned by loving family and friends, including everyone who worked on the film.

As a result, Trigger is a testament to the sense of community in the Canadian filmmaking business, especially in Toronto where it was shot. Behind the scenes, everyone pitched in. In front of the camera, you get delicious cameo appearances from Sarah Polley, Carole Pope, Lenore Zann, Julian Richings, Callum Keith Rennie and even screenwriter Daniel MacIvor. Plus, of course, Don McKellar, who was Wright's life partner and proudly stood by her every day on the shoot.

Trigger is also an homage to a great person -- Wright -- and serves as the permanent record of the work of a fine actress. Just as significantly, at least to audiences who may not know the real-life story behind it, Trigger finally stands alone and upright as an excellent slice-of-life drama.

The on-screen story being told has nothing to do with Wright's own life-and-death struggle. But it is a close look at people in crisis. Two former rock stars -- Wright and Parker -- used to be famous for being in the femme rock band Trigger. Years later, they are back together for a visit and for a celebratory night of awards and tributes, And maybe a little bit of live rock 'n' roll action on stage. But they both have major personal issues, separately and together.

For one thing, both are addicts working their way through recovery. Wright's character was hung up on drugs, Parker's on alcohol. Both are still on shaky ground. Meanwhile, their friendship -- once so close, so vital to their creative lives -- has not recovered from the breakup of Trigger (remember, it's their band, not the horse).

McDonald and MacIvor tell the Trigger story as a straight-on narrative that relies on the terrific performances from Wright and Parker to make it believable, which it most certainly is. There are artistic flourishes -- McDonald throws in a couple of hilarious moments related to the memories of addiction -- but keeps most things simple and therefore profound.

So you end up laughing and crying in equal measure. It is the transformational power of cinema at work.