Valerie Buhagiar Movies
- 2002
Pregnant Toronto-based performance artist Stephanie (portrayed by a very pregnant Valerie Buhagiar) accidentally sets labor into motion after a rather rambunctious round of lovemaking with her current boyfriend, Ian (Tom Melissis), whose unsure whether or not he's the baby's dad, but is willing to take on the job if he is. In her resultant giddiness, Stephanie proceeds to gather all of her closest friends and family -- and all their problems and neuroses -- for the much-anticipated event. Included in the birthing party are Anita (Debra McGrath), Stephanie's high-strung older sister and ex-friend of Stephanie's midwife, Julia (Angela Gei); Jack (Karl Pruner), Anita's husband and corporate lawyer big shot, who is beginning to have concerns about his marriage; food photographer and official birth documentarian Gary (Colin Mochrie), who was also a lover of Stephanie's and also wishes to be the baby's father; Dani (Barbara Radecki), who dislikes children and is only present because of a drunken oath she made to Stephanie; and Azaan (Derwin Jordan), Stephanie's neighbor and frequent artistic partner. As Julia arrives on the scene and sets up a birthing tub in the middle of Stephanie's expansive loft, each participant does what he or she can to help the expectant mother comfortably give birth while trying to deal with his or her own personal crises. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Valerie Buhagiar, Angela Gei, (more)
- 1994
A family is torn apart when two adult sisters decide to take their father to court for sexually abusing them as children. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marlo Thomas, Mel Harris, (more)
Highway 61 is an offbeat, comedic road movie about a small-town Canadian barber (Don McKellar) who finds a dead body. When a woman claiming to be the corpse's roadie sister (Valerie Buhagiar), arrives in town, he agrees to drive her and the body from Ontario to New Orleans, following Highway 61 over the entire journey. Along the way, they meet several odd characters. Though the story is poorly-paced, it has enough off-center humor and the performances are engaging enough to make it worthwhile. Rockers Jello Biafra and Tav Falco make cameos. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don McKellar, Valerie Buhagiar, (more)
Like its title, Roadkill is a little flat and moldy at times, but generally effective. Concert promoter Valerie Buhagiar decides to look for a legendary "lost" band called The Children of Paradise, in hopes of staging a lucrative comeback tour. Buhagiar's odyssey takes her through the backroads of Canada. En route, she stumbles upon a thrill killer-and he's one of the more normal people that she meets. Director Bruce McDonald doubles as one of the film's stars. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Valerie Buhagiar, Gerry Quigley, (more)
- 1988
Janet (Valerie Buhagiar) is an aspiring prostitute who befriends the drag queen Rocket (Stan Lake) in this offbeat comedy. She hopes to convert him into a "real man." When their male prostitute friend George is killed, Janet goes off with the man suspected of George's murder. Rocket heroically tries to rescue her from impending danger. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Valerie Buhagiar, Stan Lake, (more)
Based on a true story, Mrs. Soffel is set in Pittsburgh near the dawn of the 20th century. Peter Soffel (Edward Herrmann) is the warden of a top security prison, and his wife Kate (Diane Keaton) often comes by to read the Bible aloud to the inmates, despite her fragile health. While making her rounds, she makes the acquaintance of the Biddle Brothers, Ed (Mel Gibson) and Jack (Matthew Modine), who are sentenced to death for murder and robbery. Ed has become something of a celebrity thanks to his letter-writing campaign, in which he appeals in the letter-to-the-editor columns of the popular press to stay the execution of his brother and himself. His good looks, intelligence, and charm make a strong impression on Kate, whose marriage offers her little excitement. In time, Kate finds herself falling in love with Ed, and she discovers that she's unexpectedly receptive to his suggestion that she help him escape. Mrs. Soffel was the first American film from noted Australian filmmaker Gillian Armstrong. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diane Keaton, Mel Gibson, (more)
