There isn't much for newly relocated shock jock, Grant Mazzy, to talk about on his morning show at the local radio station in Pontypool, Ontario. The biggest news items of the day seem to equal little more than Honey, the lost cat and the latest group of school closings due to inclement weather. That is such a yawn for this guy who keeps getting fired for his "take no prisoners" attitude toward talk radio.
Things will be different today, though, as the news first starts to roll in that the doctor's office is being overrun by what appears to be an angry mob. Later we discover that there is a deadly virus taking hold of Pontypool's good citizens. And this virus spreads in the least likely way. The discovery of how it is transmitted is little comfort to those who make their living spouting at the mouth all day. Mazzy is now trapped in the tiny station, located in the basement of a church, with his producer and a tech. Things are getting hairy outside as more and more reports of unspeakable violence on the local level pour in as the day goes on. The once calm citizens of Pontypool are going on rampages all over, tearing each other apart, for no known reason while the diligent crew does whatever they can to deliver honest news and fast.
The screenplay was adapted by author/screenwriter Tony Burgess from his own novel, "Pontypool Changes Everything" and ably directed by Bruce McDonald. You never see anything outside the radio station and the speaking members of the cast are few but this film doesn't get boring. McDonald establishes a sense of claustrophobia that grips the viewer like the icy tendrils of Winter that are beating against the building in which they are stranded. You are forced to put yourself into their moment. And that is not a fun place to be. I don't mind telling you I was terrified.
The screenplay was adapted by author/screenwriter Tony Burgess from his own novel, "Pontypool Changes Everything" and ably directed by Bruce McDonald. You never see anything outside the radio station and the speaking members of the cast are few but this film doesn't get boring. McDonald establishes a sense of claustrophobia that grips the viewer like the icy tendrils of Winter that are beating against the building in which they are stranded. You are forced to put yourself into their moment. And that is not a fun place to be. I don't mind telling you I was terrified.
establishes a sense of claustrophobia that grips the viewer like the icy tendrils of Winter that are beating against the building in which they are stranded. You are forced to put yourself into their moment. And that is not a fun place to be. I don't mind telling you I was terrified.
Stephen McHattie's portrayal of Mazzy is nothing short of brilliant. It's the kind of performance you always long to see in film and too often are left to do without. McHattie (who is often mistaken for Lance Henriksen) has been working for years and will be recognizable to many but this character deserves to be the one that put him on the map.
Lisa Houle is Sidney Briar, the nervous at times producer who does everything she can to keep the show running smoothly in spite of everything going on inside and outside the station. She respects Mazzy but is concerned that his antics will be too much for such a small town. Little does she know that his antics will soon be the least of her worries.
By
Maven
the station. She respects Mazzy but is concerned that his antics will be too much for such a small town. Little does she know that his antics will soon be the least of her worries.
Pontypool bears a striking resemblance to “War of the Worlds” in that all you get
for the most part is the radio announcer's description of the events peppered with
some harrowing eye-
