1987 is an autobiographical film by writer/director Ricardo Trogi. He looks back at that year in his life and all the wacky hijinks that he got up to. The film is self-deprecating, honest, and funny, but it also suffers from some of the same problems that most teen coming-of-age comedies do.

In the story, Trogi has just graduated from high school. He’s 17, and everyone is telling him to get a job and make something of himself. However, he obviously has no idea what he wants to do (and what a 17-year-old does) and instead spends the summer trying to lose his virginity with his girlfriend, trying to get into bars, drinking, stealing car stereos, and fighting with his family.

It’s a funny movie, but as with many comedies, the laughs slow down considerably when the third act rolls around and needs to teach us something. That’s not a bad thing per se, but there’s not that much it’s going to teach you if you’ve seen other teen comedies. The nice thing is that there is something in here that basically everyone guy who was 17 at one point can relate to. Trogi is endearing despite basically being a fuck up, and his friends provide some nice laughs also.

1987 isn’t a great movie, but it is good, and Trogi is one of French Canada’s more interesting filmmakers. So if you’re looking for something to see at VIFF, today is your last chance to see it.

Here’s a trailer (In French without subtitles. Sorry) so you can get an idea:

1987 – Trailer from Joss Dumas on Vimeo.