Trailer Park Boys: Don't Legalize It

Trailer Park Boys: Don't Legalize It is a 2014 Canadian mockumentary crime comedy film that brings back the notorious trio of Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles, portrayed by Robb Wells, John Paul Tremblay, and Mike Smith, respectively. Directed by Mike Clattenburg, this film also stars Ahmad Harhash, John Dunsworth, Patrick Roach, and other returning favorites from the original television series.

Embracing its roots as a cult TV show (Trailer Park Boys), the film plunges viewers back into the world of Sunnyvale Trailer Park, a somber stretch of land in Nova Scotia, home to a cast of characters known for their petty squabbles, inane schemes, and love for alcohol and marijuana. The movie expands on the lives of these unconventional individuals, offering a mix of crude humor, exaggerated personas, and unexpected moments of depth.

The story finds Ricky (Robb Wells) in an unusual position. Known for his 'green thumb' and prodigious talent for growing marijuana, Ricky is facing a new challenge: the potential legalization of his precious herb in Canada. For Ricky, this signifies a threat to his illegal marijuana business, which thrives on pot's outlaw status. The film hilariously revolves around Ricky's ludicrous decision to travel to Ottawa with an audacious plan to dissuade the government from legalizing marijuana, thus safeguarding his illicit enterprise.

Weaving through the film is Julian's (John Paul Tremblay) equally dubious business venture. Julian concocts a scheme involving 'clean urine,' capitalizing on those regular citizens who need a clean drug test for their jobs. Gloriously unsophisticated and delightfully rogue, Julian is pulled into Ricky's journey to Ottawa, partly to support his friend, and partly for his selfish motivations.

Bubbles (Mike Smith), the most sensitive of the trio, provides an emotional anchor to the madcap misadventures. He's tied to the coattails of Ricky and Julian's schemes, but he simultaneously sets off on a personal quest to claim an inherited piece of land.

The director, Clattenburg, and his team splendidly capture the grim yet comedic essence of trailer park life. They effectively zoom out from the smaller TV screen to the broader cinematic landscape, without losing the charm and quirks of the original fabric. Scenes of shabby trailers, broken-down cars, and derelict landscapes are juxtaposed with moments of genuine camaraderie, slapstick comedy, and indomitable spirit.

Throughout the film, viewers are sure to savor the unique chemistry between the three main characters. Their clashing personalities, blending Wells’ reckless desperation, Tremblay’s cunning manipulation, and Smith's naive innocence, serve as the beating heart of the story. Their mishaps are almost operatic in scale, but there's also an underlying warmth and friendship that shines through.

Trailer Park Boys: Don't Legalize It successfully manages to retain the originality and humor of its television roots, delivering a narrative arc that fits well within the established cinematic universe. However, central to this universe is its connection with its characters. Their ambitions may be absurd, their methods questionable, but their spirits are quite relatable, underlining the elements of human struggle and aspiration effortlessly.

The movie also serves as a stinging satire on the subject of marijuana legalization, showcasing the spontaneous and comic reactions of ordinary, small-town characters to big policy changes. It portrays a less-glamorized perspective of policy decisions, channeling the voice of those at the fringes of society.

In the end, Trailer Park Boys: Don't Legalize It is an absurdly hilarious yet surprisingly thoughtful journey into the lives of individuals at Sunnyvale Trailer Park. With its cast of eccentric characters, unusual plot, grounded humor, and unapologetic portrayal of the underclass, it successfully carries forward the legacy of the beloved TV show while delivering a standalone cinematic experience. It serves as a fun, engaging, and insightful meditation on friendship, loyalty, dreams, and ironically, the complexities of legislation.