A Small Fortune – Review

 A Small Fortune, from director Adam Perry (Jiggers) adapted from his own short proof of concept film A Blessing From The Sea is set for its UK digital premiere this Month, courtesy of 101 Films.

The film opens with some archival quality footage of Irish sea moss farmers of old, on horseback in the surf dredging up the moss. A thriving community making money. It then cuts to Kevin Doucette (Stephen Oates – Frontier) looking out to sea, seemingly the last remaining farmer on the isolated Prince Edward Island.

Kevin’s living with his wife Sam(Liane Balaban – Definitely, Maybe), She’s pregnant with their first child and he clearly isn’t making any money, while working so hard to get the moss from the beach. She wants them to pack up and move West like everybody else has done, but Kevin is set on keeping with tradition and staying in the house he’s inherited from his family, to raise his own family.

It’s immediately evident from the tight scripting that Kevin and Sam have a loving relationship, but this is beginning to come between them, especially when his latest full trawl only earns him $211.

Kevin won’t give in, convinced the next load will be the big one that they’re due, convinced his luck’s about to change.

Next time he’s out he finds a $50 note in the moss, he looks futher and finds another 5 then a bag full of money. Lucky that Canada introduced polymer currency in 2011 eh?!

Here’s where Kevin makes his first of many mistakes, he takes the cash and doesn’t tell his wife.

It’s not long before the menacing Troy(Joel Thomas Hynes – Cast No Shadow) comes to town looking for the cash, and his fellow crook who was carrying it.

The local police led by Sheriff Bradley (Matt Cooke – Outlander) are happy to keep the peace by turning a blind eye to most of what goes on, but the new recruit Susan (Andrea Bang – Kim’s Convenience) wants to be doing proper police work. So when Kevin comes across the boat the money came from washed ashore, and makes one of his many poor decisions by setting it on fire they have no choice but to get involved.

All of these poor decisions escalate proceedings until eventually there’s more stolen money, bodies, bad guys and guns. Well let’s just say the violent crime rate rises to the highest the place has ever likely seen.

This film is easily one that could slip under your radar, a gritty crime caper set on a bleak looking Canadian island doesn’t exactly scream must watch! But it’s definitely worthy of your time.

From the archival footage which immediately gives you a sense of the vast changes in fortune that the sea moss farmers of the area have faced, to the taught tension building pacing. This beautifully shot, tightly written film draws you in from the opening credits until the satisfying denouement.

The performances across the board are great, and you find yourself fully immersed in this little corner of Prince Edward Island.

I must also give mention to the beautiful, sweeping original score by Andrew Staniland which is equally as stunning as the cinematography.

Evocative, atmospheric and enthralling, don’t miss your chance to uncover A Small Fortune. On digital 8 May 2023

You can watch the trailer below.