All Is Bright

All Is Bright is a 2013 comedy-drama film directed by Phil Morrison and starring Paul Giamatti, Paul Rudd, and Sally Hawkins. The film follows two petty criminals, Dennis (Giamatti) and Rene (Rudd), who decide to leave New York City and head to Canada to sell Christmas trees. Along the way, they encounter a series of obstacles that test their friendship and their ability to make a living.

The film begins with Dennis being released from prison after serving four years for a crime that is never fully explained. He returns to his old neighborhood in Brooklyn, where he reunites with his wife, Therese (Amy Landecker), and his daughter, Michi (Tatyana Richaud). However, Dennis finds that his home life is not what he expected it to be, and he is unable to find a job due to his criminal record.

Desperate for money, Dennis turns to his former partner in crime, Rene, who is still working as a petty thief. Rene suggests that they go to Canada and sell Christmas trees, a scheme that he claims is foolproof. Initially hesitant, Dennis eventually agrees to the plan, and the two set off on a road trip to Montreal.

The journey is not an easy one. Along the way, they have a run-in with a police officer and are forced to ditch their stolen van. They eventually make it to Montreal, where they purchase a shipment of Christmas trees and set up shop on a street corner. However, business is slow, and they have trouble connecting with the locals, who are suspicious of their American accents.

As the days go by, Rene becomes increasingly frustrated with their lack of success and begins to exhibit erratic behavior. Dennis, meanwhile, begins to find some small measure of happiness in his new surroundings, particularly after he meets a kind-hearted French Canadian named Olga (Sally Hawkins). Olga works as a security guard at a nearby shopping center, and she strikes up a friendship with Dennis after catching him shoplifting.

As the holiday season approaches, Dennis and Rene's friendship is put to the test. When a wealthy businessman offers to buy their entire stock of trees, Rene sees it as a way to make a quick profit and leave Montreal for good. However, Dennis has other ideas, and he ultimately decides to give the trees away to a group of needy families.

All Is Bright is a film that touches on themes of friendship, family, and redemption. It is a character-driven story that relies heavily on the performances of its lead actors. Paul Giamatti gives a nuanced and understated performance as Dennis, a man who is trying to make amends for his past mistakes. Paul Rudd, meanwhile, brings a sense of manic energy to the role of Rene, a man who is constantly looking for a way to get ahead.

The film is also notable for its depiction of Montreal, which is presented as a city of contrasts. On the one hand, it is a place of beauty and opportunity, where Dennis is able to forge new connections and find a sense of purpose. On the other hand, it is a place of poverty and desperation, where Rene is constantly on the lookout for his next scam.

All Is Bright is not a perfect film - it suffers from a slow pace at times and a lack of clear direction in the plot. However, it is a heartfelt and honest look at the struggles of two men who are trying to make a better life for themselves. It is a film that is ultimately more interested in character than in plot, and it succeeds in creating two memorable and sympathetic protagonists.