Looking for Leonard

Montrealer Jo is looking for Leonard-Leonard Cohen, that is-as an escape from her hopelessly dull life. An aspiring writer, she attends fiction writing classes with friend Monica (Molly Parker) and reads Leonard Cohen paperbacks while her drone-like boyfriend Ted and his younger brother Johnny wallow in front of the television. Without jobs, Jo, Ted, and Johnny make their money burgling from dry cleaners and corner stores. When Ted and Johnny want to take their thievery to the next level (robbing banks) Jo is not interested. She tries to talk them out of it, but to no avail; the brothers leave to commit their first big-time robbery. Alone for the weekend, she meets Czech computer programmer Luka, who has the potential to reinvigorate her life if not leaving it in shambles. LOOKING FOR LEONARD, the debut effort of Canadian filmmakers Matt Bissonnette and Steven Clark, entertains with a biting script, distinctive cinematography, a promising cast, and archival footage of Cohen. – E.J.B.