Suntime Farm

Without meaning to imply that there isn't a lot of fun to be found in the other films featured on this blog, for this entry I wish to turn to what may well be the most fun film of the bunch, Suntime Farm. I know that in part my opinion is fuelled by being the age I am. When Suntime Farm came out in 1998, I was the perfect demographic to appreciate it on all levels.

The story of Clara and Jesse, two kids whose parents send them to their grandparents for the summer while the parents hammer out their divorce. Once at Gran' and Gramp's the kids discover that the neighbouring seniors' group home is specifically a residence for retired hosts of childrens' television - and not just of the Captain Kangaroo variety, in fact most of the characters next door are puppets and cartoons who have fallen from grace. And while none are exactly hosts of shows I grew up on, they are all spot-on familiar archetypes.  It is all very meta, and entirely delightful.

The scene - from Kate VanMergroet's script - is the scene where Clara and Jesse make their first (of many) bizarre discoveries about their grandparents' neighbours... though I suppose it pretty much speaks for itself.