Fetching Cody

Fetching Cody is a Canadian independent drama film directed by David Ray, released in 2005. The movie is a fantastical, emotional and profound narrative that beautifully strings together the themes of time travel, love, interpersonal bonds, despair, and hope, with the city of Vancouver providing an enchanting backdrop.

In this charming and thought-provoking film, "She's All That" star Jay Baruchel plays the character of Art Frankel, a small-scale street hustler known for his easy-going nature and quirkiness. Baruchel delivers a well-layered performance, portraying the nuances of his character's predicament with depth and sensitivity. His character, Art, resides in the less affluent part of Canada's gem, Vancouver.

Sarah Lind portrays Cody Wesson, Baruchel's co-star, who is Art's enigmatic girlfriend. The duo is caught in an unconventional love story, that of a street hustler and a heroin addict. Cody lives a similarly challenging life, fraught with struggles and drug addiction. She effortlessly brings to life her character's complexity and presents it with an impressive blend of vulnerability and toughness.

Amid this harsh reality, a sudden and unexpected incident sends Cody to a coma. The life they knew spirals into a tense predicament, teetering between life and death. Art's world is flipped upside down, and in order to cope with this unanticipated situation, he embarks on an extraordinary journey. This sudden turn of events leads Art to a peculiar discovery - an old armchair that possesses the magical ability to time travel. Yes, a time machine in the guise of a seemingly ordinary armchair, adding the element of science fiction and fantasy to the narrative.

Fetch Cody takes the viewer on an emotional journey as Art uses this newfound power to unravel the threads of time. He revisits multiple periods of Cody's past in a desperate attempt to alter the courses of events that led Cody to her current state, hoping that fixing her past might also fix her present. The time-traveling sequences show Art desperately trying to change the past, unveiling a raw, unfiltered depiction of love and sacrifice.

Jim Byrnes offers an arresting performance, and other supporting roles are performed convincingly by a talented ensemble cast. Their additions help to illuminate the diverse lifestyle of the neighborhood and provide a distinct flavor to the narrative.

Captivating with its profound storytelling, the film explores various themes, notably the repercussions of time travel and the ethical dilemmas associated with it, the horrors of drug addiction, and the lengths to which we can go out of love and desperation. Fetching Cody dives deep into the essence of relationships and challenges the boundaries of changing fate.

The director's unconventional approach to the storytelling allows the story to effortlessly navigate between outright drama, moments of heart-wrenching emotions, and elements of fantasy with a touch of magic realism. The narrative is crisply woven around the compelling performances of its lead acts, with a perfect mix of fantasy and reality that keeps the viewer engaged throughout its run.

Shot beautifully, the film has fantastic cinematography that offers the beauty of the Vancouver cityscape with a rich and gritty color palette. The locales provide an atmospheric setting that's at once surreal and deeply rooted in reality. The state-of-the-art visual effects and the brilliantly run-down production design add depth to the futuristic elements.

To sum it up, Fetching Cody is an emotionally charged piece, highlighted by compelling performances, an imaginative plot that weaves together themes of love, desperation, time travel, and a distinctly real-world setting. It is a film that will make you ponder about the nature of love, the inevitability of fate and the consequences of our actions.

Whether you are a fan of drama, science fiction, or heartrending love stories, Fetching Cody has something to offer. Its beautiful storytelling, alongside its challenging premise and extraordinary performances, make it a must-see.