Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
Filmmaker Adam Scorgie explores the illegal marijuana industry in British Columbia, revealing how the international business is most likely more profitable than it would be if it was lawful in this enlightening documentary. Marijuana growers, law enforcement officials, physicians, politicians, criminologists, economists and celebrities—including comedian Tommy Chong—shed light on this topical subject in a series of compelling interviews.
The Union is a well-structured and engaging documentary that covers the BC marijuana trade with breadth and genuine informational value. Its interview-driven approach brings together a diverse cast of voices — growers, economists, politicians, law enforcement — giving it credibility and momentum. However, the cinematography is functional at best, typical of mid-budget documentary work with no striking visual identity. The 'acting' dimension (interview presence and on-screen performance of subjects) is mixed, with some compelling figures but also many wooden or unremarkable talking heads. Its novelty is moderate — the subject matter was relatively fresh in 2007 and the economic framing was smart, but the talking-head documentary format is conventional. The ending wraps up the arguments competently without delivering a particularly memorable or resonant conclusion.