For 25 years, Mike Smith has co-starred in the Trailer Park Boys cult franchise as a surly yet compassionate, shed-dwelling kitten enthusiast known as Bubbles. While he may be referred to as a “second-or-third banana” in the get-rich schemes hatched by his pals Julian (JP Tremblay) and Ricky (Robb Wells), Bubbles’ side stories about his pets and his love for music has scratched the interest of fans; serving as a reason for fans to keep returning to this series and making the Trailer Park Boys a huge Canadian, money-making commodity. I suppose another Trailer Park Boys movie was inevitable, but even long-time fans may be surprised by how much of a departure the franchise’s fourth film is – a tailor-made musical/comedy for Bubbles written by Smith himself (exhaustively) titled Trailer Park Boys Presents: Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties – The Bubbles and the Shitrockers Story. That same loyal fanbase may be even more surprised by how well this funny and funky flick grooves.

Fashioned as a “documentary” for a magazine program about local musicians, a host (Guido Furlani) and his film crew follow Bubbles as he shows off his makeshift recording studio (called “Tabby Road Records”) and boasts about a songwriting contest he intends to win with his self-proclaimed hit song “Kitties Are So Nice”. Momentum strikes elsewhere, however, when Bubbles finds fame through word-of-mouth after assembling a band of other would-be rockers. The rise of the “shitrockers” leads them to a European tour with Billy Bob Thornton (playing his extended cameo with a surprising amount of heart and sympathy) and his band The Boxmasters.

As a longtime fan of the Trailer Park Boys and of Mike Smith (even in other projects that don’t deserve his versatility like Lloyd the Conqueror), I’m elated to see Smith finally receive his roses in the form of a star-studded vehicle (also co-starring Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, former Animals frontman Eric Burdon, and the Hobbit series’ own Martin Freeman). From music video director Charlie Lightening, Trailer Park Boys Presents: Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties – The Bubbles and the Shitrockers Story shines a literal spotlight on Smith as he carries the comedy and performs a collection of country music to crowded venues. While the film references events that may have taken place on the franchise’s Swearnet spin-off (post-movie), this information isn’t crucial to the thin albeit sufficient plot.

But as a film critic who is still wrapping his head around Deaner ’89, the suggestion of this Trailer Park Boys movie being a vanity project for Smith can’t help but initially linger. However, unlike Deaner ’89, this movie isn’t about Mike Smith – it’s about Bubbles. The audience can see and hear how talented Smith is, but he’s humble enough to keep the film’s focus on the character he cares so much about. This integrity is represented through Bubbles’ arc, revealing more of the character’s admiration he has for his late father, and through physical gags that play up Bubbles’ buffoonery. Did Smith and Lightening necessarily need two hours to relay this to an audience? Maybe not that long, but the length is only bulky to give movie goers plenty of full takes of great music. The choice pays off well enough to set a fun, party-esque atmosphere.

The last third of Trailer Park Boys Presents: Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties – The Bubbles and the Shitrockers Story feels like Smith submitted a partially finished script though. Bubbles is left stranded from his dreams, only to be emotionally hoisted by former Sunnyvale Trailer Park assistant supervisor-turn-roadie Randy (Pat Roach) and bring Julian and Ricky back into the fold. This stretch, in particular, feels like the film is flying by the seat of its pants, waiting for a narrative exit to turn off on. Trailer Park Boys Presents: Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties – The Bubbles and the Shitrockers Story eventually finds its ending. As corny and convenient as the finale is, the surreal ending finds a poignant way to convey how music can tie a community of strangers together to create beautiful memories.

UK Readers: The Trailer Park Boys Presents: Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties – The Bubbles and The Shitrockers Story will be exclusively screening in VUE Cinemas from 10th January

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie