Scarborough

Scarborough

Synopsis: Scarborough explores the struggles, endurance, and resilience of this culturally diverse Toronto community through the lives of three kids growing up within a system that has set them up for failure. Filmed on location in the Kingston-Galloway/West Hill neighborhood, Scarborough takes place over the course of a school year.

TM: Scarborough follows the tragic themes of The Florida Project. While the kids are incredible and resilient, you watch the parents struggle, whether from the system or their own hand. The juxtaposition between the reality and the parents' face and the frills of optimism being a child without worry is palpable. 

This is a film that sticks with you for days, weeks after viewing. The close up shots, timed longer than is comfortable, reminds you that this can be any underprivileged child, anywhere in the world. The characters and stories are authentic; There’s tragedy in truth. The best part of the film is watching the interaction between the kids.Have tissues nearby, it’s a tearjerker. 

    Tuesday’s Rating: 4 shots

KM: This film was very difficult to watch. Between watching the struggles of the three families, to the slow, sometimes pedantic scenes, Scarborough was a slog from beginning to end. It’s never a good sign when a movie feels like it lasts three hours when it’s only a little over two. 

The story itself is powerful and gut-wrenching and the acting was fully developed. But even so, the subject is one that I have a very difficult time processing. It is essentially “poverty porn.” But what really turned me off was the slow pacing of this film. It meandered and felt aimless at times.  

Contrast this with Justice for Bunny King, which also explores the subject of poverty and the struggles of people on the margins of society, Scarborough was slow, dull, and depressing.

    Kaely’s rating: 1 shot

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