Ahhh, to be young again. Wanting to be popular, hanging out with your friends, trying to be the life of the party, and becoming a bank robber”¦wait, what?
That’s how turning 15 goes for Félix (Félix Munger), the teenage protagonist of Rémi St-Michel’s fresh, fast-paced Toy Gun Bandit . A riotous good time filled with humour, energy, and pathos, this Quebec film is definitely one to watch at TIFF. With only one public screening remaining, this is a ticket you’ll want to snatch now.
Set on the outskirts of Quebec City, a prank on Félix’s 15th birthday unintentionally turns into a real-life robbery. The consequences of the act lead him to Dave (David Beaudoin), a suburban wannabe gangster short on cash for his partner and infant daughter. Bolstered by the surge of adrenaline and bravado that comes with pulling off the accidental robbery, Félix finds himself forming a bank-robbing gang with Dave and Sara (Sara Monpetit), a young unhoused person wrestling with addiction.
Toy Gun Bandit takes all the best parts of a coming-of-age tale and puts a unique spin on it. Through every bad decision, Félix is full of heart and a moral compass that tries to point him in the right direction. He’s not out here for his own personal gain, but to help support his struggling pals. What Félix seeks above all is friendship and belonging, something that money can’t buy.
Make no mistake, these are not skilled criminals, just people with enough luck and swagger on their side. But luck doesn’t last forever. Eventually, this ragtag gang runs afoul of legitimate criminals lurking in Quebec City’s underbelly. Brought into the big leagues against their will, what started as a silly prank has now spiralled into a dangerous situation with serious, life-threatening consequences.
St-Michel, who also penned the script, directs the film with urgency. The quick pacing brings a kinetic energy to the screen. It perfectly captures that feeling of frenzy and excitement that comes with a wild night. Munger is dynamite as Félix. He exudes great empathy and authenticity through his character. No matter how far-fetched the idea of an accidental teenage bank robber sounds, Munger and St-Michel have grounded the character in a reality that makes this impossible situation feel surprisingly believable.
The supporting cast, in particular Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person ’s Monpetit, brings even more humanity to the film. Though her foils are first used for some light humour, Félix’s concern for her well-being is what further deepens the audience’s connection to him. He sees her not as a junkie, but as a human being deserving of a better life. Monpetit plays the part quietly with humour and empathy, in a role that stands apart from her previous work.
It is easy to see why Toy Gun Bandit is one of this year’s TIFF Next Wave Selects, a group of films highlighted by a group of teenage film enthusiasts. Félix’s incredulous teenage experience is filled with such universal truths that, beneath this wild premise, the film feels remarkably relatable. It’s the type of film that will have audiences championing the state of Canadian cinema as they exit the theatre, engaged and excited about the distinctive and spirited stories coming out of our home country, particularly in Quebec.
At its centre, Toy Gun Bandit is about so much more than a teen who becomes an accidental bank robber. It’s about the lengths we will go to find friendship and belonging. Beneath all the chaos, St-Michel has crafted a true coming-of-age story that’s dark, funny, and surprisingly sincere. It’s precisely the kind of Canadian film that deserves to be highlighted at a major festival like TIFF.
