Grown Up Movie Star is a 2010 Canadian drama film written, directed and co-produced by Adriana Maggs. Shawn Doyle, Jill Knox Gosse and Paul Pope are the other co-producers. The film was produced by Pope Productions and distributed in Canada by Mongrel Media.
Ray is a former ice hockey player who is convicted of drug charges for smuggling drugs following his first game in the NHL. After he comes back to his Newfoundland home, his wife Lillian leaves to seek fame in Hollywood with another man. Ray is left with his daughters, high schooler Ruby and her 11-year-old sister Rose. Ray pursues a homosexual relationship with gym teacher James, while avoiding the advances of Jennifer. After Ruby catches her father with James, she explores her sexuality with newly arrived American student Will, her best friend Laura, and Ray's best friend Stuart. Stuart is a paraplegic, shot in a hunting accident by Ray (causing Ray to import the drugs to help Stuart make money).[1][2] The drama examines the dynamic of the strained and uncertain relationships of all parties.
The soundtrack was written by Elliott Brood.[2] The province of Newfoundland provided over CA$390,000 in funding support.[4]Telefilm Canada provided another $440,000 in funding.[5] The Harold Greenberg Fund and the Canadian Film or Video Tax Credit provided additional budgetary support.[1]
The film was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2010[6] and at the festival it won the World Cinema Special Jury Prize for Acting.[7] It was released to general audiences in Canada on 29 January 2010.[3]
