Awaiting Atwood is goofy, ridiculous and fun. The two main characters, in all their middle-aged glory, are on a journey to what they believe is a rendez-vous with an icon: Margaret Atwood. Travelling by canoe, bicycle and hang glider through the wilds of Northern Ontario, battling the elements, they run into extreme characters, existential angst and adventures that, of course, are loosely based on Atwood novels. No spoiler alerts here, you'll have to watch this movie to find out if their quest is successful. But I can guarantee that the trip is worth it; your travel companions are a hoot, there are always strange twists and turns, and there are many laughs on the way. This is a movie unlike any other. Highly recommended.
15 Reviews
Don't Wait to see Awaiting Atwood!!
wrendogandme28 December 2013
Awaiting Atwood was a surprising delight, written and directed by Beth Mairs of BAM North productions. Those who know and love Atwood's work will appreciate the references to many of her novels interwoven throughout this adventure parody. The film features sidesplitting dialogue and breath taking scenery as we follow the hapless middle-aged adventuresses on their travels from Northern Ontario to Toronto. Actors Mairs and Betty Ann McPherson deliver solid performances as the two protagonists, and are supported by a cast of engaging, seemingly everyday folk encountered on their travels. A cameo appearance by Atwood herself near the end of the film adds a certain cache and brings us full circle in truly understanding what I take to be the film's main message, which is to appreciate the journey, to question the destination and to celebrate the people and places we love. Thank you for this refreshing and unique addition to the adventure 'genre' - I look forward to more from Mairs and BAM North!
Blazing the way towards a new genre of film
jennifer-holub28 December 2013
Awaiting Atwood is a film unlike other adventure films in that it empowers female adventure. Unlike epic adventure tales that focus on male characters and their brute strength, Awaiting Atwood demonstrates the calculated, focused, and creative approach many women adventurers take to the outdoors. Not only was this film a rare glimpse into female adventuring, but showcased the goofy self-deprecating nature of Northern Ontario folks who leave a lasting impression. It was also fantastic to see an adventure film whose raison d'être is the fandom surrounding Canadian literature. I would highly recommend seeing this film, it is a one-of-a-kind!
Hilarious!
VisJuelles7 January 2014
"Awaiting Atwood" was an absolutely hilarious film! The two fun loving characters jumped off the screen with their playful personalities and charisma. It was refreshing to see an interest in the wonderfully talented Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood play out in a film. I was excited that the film had two women lead roles that focused on meeting a famous Canadian writer that happens to be a woman.
The adventures of these two women were insanely crazy and off the wall, but it worked! I was engaged in the storyline the whole time, and as the film came to an end, I was disappointed because I wanted to see more.
I can't wait to see future films.
The adventures of these two women were insanely crazy and off the wall, but it worked! I was engaged in the storyline the whole time, and as the film came to an end, I was disappointed because I wanted to see more.
I can't wait to see future films.
Roadworthy
alwaysthesky-881-36981727 December 2013
What is wonderful about this film is the landscape of Northern Ontario and the bridges and towns and cliff faces that bring a smile of recognition to our faces. Also striking are the similarities between ourselves and our two endearing heroines in their passions, impulses and their wacky means of travel. Local characters add surprise and spice to this mad adventure. The voice-over pulls the threads together, as do the sprinklings of homages to Margaret Atwood's novels. There is also a lovely playful camaraderie between the characters as we follow this literary voyage from Northern Ontario to Toronto. Go see it, dear readers, writers, skydivers, spelunkers and canoeists.
Re-surfacing
watchareading28 December 2013
Awaiting Atwood is a lovely little film set in northern Ontario on a reverse sort of mid-life quest that takes the viewer in and out of the Canadian urban heart as well as the iconic landscape where Atwood's early novels are set. The story is a timely reminder for all those who have found themselves, their soul-mate, or the meaning of life in Canada through a northern woods experience involving a canoe that it is not over. The mid-life angst of the characters may appeal to those of us ready to re-surface, but there is enough humour, great scenery, and humility for persons of all ages to find something of themselves surfacing in this witty ode to our literary icon Margaret Atwood.
Side-splitting satire
eden-baylee20 December 2013
Filmmakers Beth Mairs and Betty Ann MacPherson go on a misadventure of a lifetime to find the elusive Margaret Atwood. Beautifully shot throughout picturesque Northern Ontario, the film follows the two women as they make their way toward Toronto by canoe, by bike, and even by hang glider. Along the way, they encounter characters and situations loosely based on some of Atwood's famous novels. Awaiting Atwood is refreshingly original and funny. Mairs and MacPherson give terrific comic performances, and the entire cast will have you cheering for them until the very end. If you love literature and tongue in cheek humour, you will love this film.
Loved this film enough to see it twice
crone717 December 2013
This (very) low budget movie is a Northern gem you don't have be a northerner to appreciate. I first saw it at a tribute to Margaret Atwood - who does appear in the film - eventually. Then had to see it again at the Female eye Festival. The story is trig-comic, the laughs come just at the right time. Beth Mairs carries off the difficult job of being both Director and actor really well. She's funny, sweet, completely endearing. The only slight criticism I had was that for some viewers (overseas students, and perhaps any in the far south) a map of the terrain, the vast area of Georgian Bay on Lake Huron, would highlight the sheer madness of taking the "short" cut without taking the ferry. Can't wait to see more from BAM and Beth Mairs.
screwball adventure satire
zeidzeidzeid19 December 2013
Filmmaker Beth Mairs takes a decidedly screw ball approach to the dire genre of adventure films. Poking fun at the cult of hero worship that pervades most adventure films, Mairs presents two lovable and flawed women who take the road less traveled from Sudbury to Toronto to meet their idol Margaret Atwood. The humour in this satirical adventure film is fearless, following tangents and bursts of imagination that had the audience roaring with laughter. As smart as it is funny, Mairs uses the Canadian landscape and the differences between urban and rural living to highlight some of the critiques of Canadian culture that Margaret Atwood herself posits in her work. The films flaws come from the exuberance of a first time filmmaker putting all their ideas in one film but it is so charming and original that much is forgiven and you laugh through the ride.
Heartfelt Effort Exudes Joy
dreamlaunching3 January 2014
Critics often forget that every director has to start somewhere. They don't have a lot of experience, almost no budget and must rely on their own ingenuity and humility to create their films. Their early experiments often do not fit the cookie cutter approach of larger films.
What Awaiting Atwood lacks in technical expertise it gains in pure heart. There's a joy in bringing this story to life that is warming, touching and quirky. It is obvious that the filmmakers/actors enjoyed this project and audiences will respect the effort and enjoy sharing this 43 minutes with them.
What Awaiting Atwood lacks in technical expertise it gains in pure heart. There's a joy in bringing this story to life that is warming, touching and quirky. It is obvious that the filmmakers/actors enjoyed this project and audiences will respect the effort and enjoy sharing this 43 minutes with them.
Awaiting Atwood is a treat!
cgulkin19 December 2013
Awaiting Atwood is a charming and hilarious adventure spoof. Writer, director and co-star Beth Mairs, is a wonderfully talented comic actor and is surrounded by great foils: including other actors and just regular folk she and co-star, Betty Ann MacPherson, meet on their funny and awkward journey from Northern Ontario to Toronto. The plot is simultaneously silly and engaging with lovely surprise ending.
Mairs may be a newcomer to comedy fiction but she has crafted a tight piece of cinema. In terms of production values Awaiting Atwood punches far above its weight class.
I didn't stop smiling for a long time after the credits rolled!
Mairs may be a newcomer to comedy fiction but she has crafted a tight piece of cinema. In terms of production values Awaiting Atwood punches far above its weight class.
I didn't stop smiling for a long time after the credits rolled!
parody road movie with a big heart
shannonhengen3 January 2014
Two adventuresses take to the roads/waterways/rocky cliffs of Northern Ontario en route to Toronto in reply to an "invitation" from Canada's great literary star, Margaret Atwood. Will they meet her??? A love story, parody road movie, and witty, laugh-out-loud homage to the brilliant writer, Awaiting Atwood is for and about women while appealing to a wide audience. What are we prepared to do for those we cherish? The film answers with ample visual delights and spare, funny dialogue. BAM North's Awaiting Atwood holds a unique, significant place among Canadian comic short films as these entrepreneurial northern artists connect their story with those of our revered national story teller. Wait for the surprise ending! Shannon Hengen, past president, Margaret Atwood Society Professor Emerita, Department of English Laurentian U, Sudbury, Ontario
Fit young men, step aside: middle aged women take on the adventure film.
kskierszkan27 January 2014
This would be a typical Banff Mountain Film Festival entry with lots of "Hey, Dude, that was so awesome!" after some death defying close calls except that the adventurers aren't two prime of life guys with big teeth wanting to meet some Norwegian-surfboard-across-the-Atlantic-guru-type but two deluded middle aged women thinking that Margaret Atwood is waiting to affirm them. And the close calls are as much "interior" as death defying. Even has some sneak smoking! There is a whole section in the centre in which the friends are separated and appear to have forgotten what they were intending to do.Lots of fun and Beth Mairs is hilarious with her sun block, woolly socks and toques.
Witty Little Comedy about trying to connect with Margaret Atwood.
cabrockington17 December 2013
This film was a hoot! I laughed so hard at some points I thought I would pee my pants... It's a witty little comedy about two women trying to connect with Margaret Atwood. It was nice to see it at the Toronto screening and to meet the creators and cast. Always wonderful to support a grassroots group of real Canadian women too. This film was a no fuss, no muss kind of project - was great to see real locations, real Canadians, with real dialogue. Presented in a nice satirical way yet we could all see ourselves embarking on a journey, just as these two women did, to meet one of our icons. Loved that these women use to work with Wild Women Expeditions - I could totally see it in the film. Great job!
Laugh riot
hamiltonsusan2217 December 2013
Laugh out loud funny from start to finish. The country rube played by Beth Mairs is genius (I couldn't get enough of her antics and expressions) and Betty Ann McPherson as her side kick had me holding my sides. I will always have fond memories of traveling Ontario roads and backwoods with this endearing pair of misguided adventurers. I am lucky enough to know most of the cast members in real life so I was a little worried about what my response to the film might be. Well I needn't have worried because I loved it! This crew of professionals put together a little gem of a film that should not be missed especially if you live in Ontario or you are any sort of a proud Canadian It is fun, fun and more fun. Congratulations everyone involved. Very well done!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
