Everything's Gone Green (R, 2007)

In EVERYTHING'S GONE GREEN, Ryan (Paulo Costanza) thinks he's hit bottom. His shallow girlfriend has dumped him, and he's lost his boring, inconsequential job. Even his parents have let him down. But after he's offered a writing job at a tacky lottery magazine and he meets the beautiful Wing (Steph Song), things begin to look up -- at least until Wing's hustler boyfriend, Bryce (JR Bourne), talks Ryan into taking part in a money-laundering scheme that (according to Bryce) isn't technically illegal, "doesn't hurt anybody," and will make him rich. As Ryan examines the hidden agendas of people around him, experiences a few moments of "the good life," and sees the foolishness of winning at all costs, he also falls in love with Wing, finds his own moral code, and discovers his humanity.

The irreverent comedy Everything's Gone Greenscores by taking a fresh look at greed, slacker values, and current cultural phenomena like the lottery, the "mom-and-pop" marijuana industry, and the ubiquitous movie-making taking place on almost every street corner in Vancouver. Strong performances, shrewd use of contemporary music, and a realistic approach to even the most absurd comic moments help the movie stand out. Ryan's journey is brightened by assorted oddball characters, some strikingly funny situations, and a lot of inevitable soul-searching.

One particularly nice aspect of Everything's Gone Green is that Vancouver, Canada -- which in recent years has so often been asked to stand in for U.S. cities -- gets to play itself for a change. The lovely, vibrant town actually becomes a character in this sensitive, likeable romantic comedy.