Al Purdy Was Here
Cineplex Odeon
Sunday, Feb. 7, 9:15 p.m.
Rating: Three stars
The surreal sight of Margaret Atwood playing pool in a beer hall, or cheeky youths saying they’ve never heard of this Al Purdy guy, are reason enough to check out Brian D. Johnson’s wryly engaging and uncompromising portrait of the legendary Canadian poet, even if you aren’t part of the CanLit crowd most likely to appreciate it.
It’s touches like these, echoing the irreverence of his subject, that makes the erstwhile Maclean’s film critic’s documentary a watchable diversion despite its rough edges.
These include some excessive coverage, notably recurring images of Purdy’s funky A-frame writer’s retreat in Ontario’s cottage country that wear out their welcome. Johnson effectively blends perceptive commentary from literary figures and Purdy’s spry, no-nonsense 90-year-old widow Eurithe with archival footage of the subversive, gravelly voiced literary icon himself, and classic Canadiana from a more innocent age.
Memorable flashbacks include footage of former newscaster Pamela Wallin, long before her Senate scandal, introducing the notorious late poet as a high school dropout, bankrupt businessman and “problem husband.”
Combined with edgier material about Purdy’s failings as a husband and father and some terrific musical performances by Sarah Harmer, Felicity Williams, Bruce Cockburn and others inspired by Purdy’s poetry, it makes for an affectionate documentry that is captivating enough to make you want to learn more ab out this droll, beer-loving wordsmith.