Every present day has a past. Every story has its background. Each person has an opportunity to change, evolve, and become someone different. But it all comes down to making the right choices. “Deaner ‘89” presents an intriguing concept that might initially distance viewers from its protagonist, but in the end, what truly matters is not the past but the future he choose to create.
“Deaner ‘89” follows the titular character, Dean Murdoch (played by Paul Spence, who also wrote the screenplay), as he takes us back to the wild and drunken days of 1989 to share a past that ultimately defines his positive and prosperous future. Raised by adoptive parents and a promising high school hockey player, Dean faces numerous obstacles and challenges from the world around him, but his greatest adversary is yet to be faced: himself.
Dean is a character who’s hard to imagine having around—an unpleasant young man who struggles with language, resorting mostly to swearing and coarse expressions. His father constantly admonishes him to “watch your language.” But Dean’s world begins to unravel when he receives a large box containing items from his deceased father. Upon discovering his Indigenous heritage and learning about his parentage, his perspective on life shifts as he gets the opportunity to become a more complete person. The only question is: Will he find the strength to overcome his own self?
That said, Sam McGlynn faced a difficult task in creating a film that resonates with the audience while being interesting, engaging, and funny all at once. Frankly, he succeeds in delivering a poignant story through laughter, one that will definitely find its audience, even if it may not be as broad as he might have hoped. More importantly, he manages to create an environment that emphasizes the importance of knowing your past—your origins and lineage. Because a lack of understanding of your past can hinder your future. While this may not be true for everyone, for Dean, the news he learns is certainly life-changing.