Dir: Anne Emond | Cast: Patrick Hivon, Piper Perabo | 100’ 2025
‘When you choose a path you don’t get to see the other ones’
This quirky Canadian comedy makes a refreshing change with its eco-thriller elements. Peak Everything, from Canadian filmmaker Anne Emond and playing in the Quinzaine selection at this year’s Cannes Film Festivals certainly has a few laughs up its sleeve. It follows the trials and tribulations of Adam (45) a kind-hearted kennel-owner who suffers from a nervous disposition and a preoccupation with the morbid.
Hypersensitive and seemingly on the verge of a mental breakdown, Adam (Hivon) hides his existential fears from his cynical father, and lets his perky young assistant Romy take advantage of his good nature. Adam channels all his angst into a list of eco concerns and it’s this obsessive concern about the environment that tempers the often absurd humour generated by Adam’s rather odd behaviour.
Hearing that a therapeutic solar lamp may help with his emotional fearfulness Adam orders one. Through the lamp’s supplier’s technical support line, he meets Tina (Perabo) a bubbly woman whose dulcet tones seem to kindle trust and comfort for the timid dog lover whose troupe of dogs don’t seem to be affected by his anxiety
A lovely voice is one thing but looks are important too – will Tina really live up to the expectations that have set Adam’s heart racing? Or will she just think he’s a loser..
An act of God in the form of an earthquake at the Solar offices seems to be the deciding factor to make Adam spring into action bringing about a sudden change of pace as the film shifts into overdrive and the two finally meet.
When they lock eyes the attraction is instant but Tina turns out to be in a rather loveless but comfortable marriage to a decent guy. Will her sexual attraction to Adam help her to overcome her concerns about his offbeat personality. Well that’s for you to find out in this unusual but appealing comedy drama. @MeredithTaylor
CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2025