Have you ever been watching a film and thought, “How on earth does this exist?” Only for the film to not only answer you, but also agree with you!
There is a moment as the film moves towards the third act where one of the characters addresses the camera directly and remarks, “This is going to be a copyright nightmare. If you are watching this in theatres, thank your lucky stars cause this is going to be the only screening of this, ever!”
The copyright nightmare relates to multiple references to Back To The Future. To the point where they had to compose motifs that are recognisably similar but technically not infringing, to deploy at key moments in this adventure.
And what an adventure it is, as Matt and Jay reprise their characters from an acclaimed web series that follows the attempts of Nirvanna The Band (not that one) to secure a gig at the Toronto venue The Rivoli.
From the outset and The Seventh Inning Skydive plan, where the two seemingly jump off the real CN Tower, this is a consistently audacious, inventive, and hilarious film that leaves you scratching your head and thinking, “How did they do that?”
Cinephiles may be familiar with Matt Johnson from Blackberry, his entertaining account of the rise and fall of the company behind the world’s first smartphone. Whether it is the creative use of CG, editing, archival footage, or guerrilla/candid-camera filmmaking, Johnson uses every trick up his talented sleeve to achieve the seemingly impossible – a lo-fi, sci-fi, music masterpiece.
What makes it all work, however, is that underneath the inherent silliness is a story of friendship and staying true to who you are. Thanks to the on-screen partnership of Johnson and McCarrol, people will come for the humour and stay for the heart.
Consider yourselves lucky to live in a timeline where this film exists. Because when this baby hits 88mph, you’re gonna see some seriously funny shit!
Nirvanna: The Band The Show The Movie had its UK premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival
Rating: 
Director: Matt Johnson
Stars: Matt Johnson, Jay McCarrol
Runtime: 100 minutes
Country: Canada
