Every present has a past. Every story has its context. Everyone has the opportunity to change, develop and become a different person. But it all comes down to making the right choice. “Deaner ’89” presents an interesting concept that may initially turn viewers away from its protagonist, but in the end, what really matters is not the past but the future he chooses to create.
Deaner ’89 tells the story of the eponymous character, Dean Murdoch (played by Paul Spencer, who also co-wrote the screenplay), as he takes us back to the wild and drunken days of 1989 to share the ultimate defining moment of his positive and prosperous future. Raised by adoptive parents and a promising high school hockey player, Dean faces countless obstacles and challenges from the world around him, but his greatest opponent has yet to be faced: himself.
Dean is a difficult character to imagine – an unlikeable young man who has difficulty with language and resorts primarily to expletives and vulgar expressions. His father often warned him to “watch your language.” But when Dean receives a large box containing his late father’s belongings, his world begins to unravel. After discovering his Aboriginal heritage and learning about his origins, his perspective on life changes as he is given the opportunity to become a more complete person. The only question is: can he find the strength to defeat himself?
Still, Sam McGlynn faced a difficult task: creating a film that would resonate with audiences while also being entertaining, engaging, and entertaining. Frankly, he manages to tell a poignant story through laughter that is sure to find its audience, even if it may not be as broad as he would have hoped. More importantly, he succeeded in creating an environment that emphasized the importance of knowing your past—your origins and ancestry. Because a lack of understanding of your past will hinder your future. While this may not apply to everyone, for Dean, the news he learned was certainly life-changing.
