The Movie
When you combine navel gazing, pot, ennui and slacker-generation icon Douglas Coupland into one film, my sensibilities are instantly put on high alert. They were able to relax a bit though as Everything's Gone Green unspooled, revealing itself as an enjoyable meditation on the difference between living and existing and the influence of the almighty dollar.

Ryan (Paolo Costanzo, Road Trip) is a good-natured artistic soul, and he isn't having a good day, as his personal, professional and family lives come crashing down around him. Things start looking up though as he finds a job with the local lottery, and meets Ming (Steph Song), while checking out a beached whale. These two developments combine to put Ryan on a path that will test his morals and make him question everything he'd come to accept about his life. That's not surprising considering the writer is Douglas Coupland, who makes his feature film debut here after making his name writing novels about people like Ryan and Ming. The story doesn't move at breakneck pace either, as Ryan explores the world of "winners," writing profiles and photographing the recipients of the lotto's large jackpots, experiencing jealousy at their successes, while contrasting their lives with his.

Things get complicated though when he gets involved with Ming's boyfriend Bryce (JR Bourne), a shady character who convinces Ryan to provide him with the names of the winners in order to use them to launder money. It only gets harder for Ryan to walk the straight and narrow when he finds himself in the midst of one of Vancouver's biggest illicit drug operations, and little argument against its reason for being. The themes of responsibility and morality get a proper workout, as Ryan wants to do the right thing, but finds it a lot easier to just give in and go with the (illegal) flow. Ming's influence, as his desirable conscience, is the only thing that stands between him and potential damnation.

While watching the film, I began to wonder just how long it was, as it seemed to just go on and on, which was surprising, considering it lasts just 95 minutes. Now normally, this would be a very bad thing, but I was never bored by the movie, even though it didn't feel like it really went anywhere at most points. Story points that could have been interesting, like an abandoned high-tech apartment building inhabited only by Ryan and the unusual nature of his job, were seemingly abandoned, while side bits about the film industry in Vancouver and an illogical diversion with a hot girl with a very public private life, never added up to much. Despite such seeming impediments, the film kept me interested, mainly due to the likability of the two leads. Costanzo, in his first real chance as a lead, is excellent as a good guy who's up against it, while Song is adorable in a role that probably would have gone to Sandra Oh at one point. It's the kind of girlfriend-you-wish-you-had part that's not easy to pull off right, but Song does it effortlessly.

Assisting the actors in creating this entertaining, thoughtful comedy is director Paul Fox, a veteran of Canadian TV series like "Degrassi: The Next Generation" and "Little Mosque on the Prairie." You'd never know his background was in the small screen, considering how nice the film looks, blending small creative tricks, genuine style, and an eye for beautiful frame construction, while avoiding the temptation to rely on visual gimmicks. A wonderful sense of pacing that really sells the comedy and emotion is just the frosting on this one. Patience for what the filmmakers are trying to achieve and appreciation for the value of the journey will be rewarded here, though not with an ending you'd call satisfying. It's more of an overall good time with a hint of suburban philosophy.

Oddly, though it works fine in my DVD player, the film won't start from the main menu on neither my Mac or PC. Not exactly sure why.

The Quality
The anamorphic widescreen transfer on this DVD is very clear, with vivid color and a high level of detail. It's not the sharpest image ever, likely a style choice, but the image is devoid of any dirt or damage.

The audio is surprisingly impressive, as the Dolby Digital 5.1 track utilizes the sides and rear to solid effect, presenting off-screen effects in position and enhances the music nicely. Everything, from the soundtrack to the dialogue, is crystal clear and free of distortion.

The Extras
The bonus material is kicked off by an audio commentary by Fox and Coupland, a track that's well construction thanks to the two participants. Fox has all the important technical info and set stories, while Coupland has the knowledge of the story that allows him to ask questions about how the writing was translated to film. It's a low-key track, but definitely informative.

5:20 of scenes are presented with video pop-ups, like the "Pop-Up Video" of old. Included here are some facts and info not shared during the commentary, but as it's only covering a few scenes, it's a bit of a tease. A full-length version would have been nice. Two extended scenes, totalling about four minutes, are also included, though neither is all that interesting, or extended for that matter. The disappointment continues with the so-called "poster gallery," which amounts to just three images. Things get better in the Lincoln Clarkes Photo Gallery, which presents the great real-life photos taken by Ryan in the film (Clarkes in real life.) It's followed by a listing of the bands whose music is in the film, and a "special" brownie recipe for the weed fans in the audience. The extras wrap up with the film's trailer.

The Bottom Line
There's something that's genuinely appealing about this film, actually, several things, including the stars, the look and the insightful concepts. It doesn't all come together in the end, but enough works right that you can enjoy the film from beginning to end, that is, if you enjoy intimate little stories about the corruption of the soul. The DVD delivers the film with a good level of quality, and a handful of extras to supplement the film. Fans of films like Garden State should check this movie out, but if you are looking at the cover and thinking you're getting a pot comedy, look elsewhere. Here, the drugs are more about the plot than the pot.

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*The Reviewer's Bias section is an attempt to help readers use the review to its best effect. By knowing where the reviewer's biases lie on the film's subject matter, one can read the review with the right mindset.