John Paizs's Crime Wave

Exploring early postmodern cinema, this analysis highlights the significance of a 1985 cult film by Winnipeg filmmaker John Paizs. The narrative follows aspiring screenwriter Steven Penny, portrayed by Paizs, who struggles with writer's block, only crafting beginnings and endings. The film presents a comedic take on the creative process, using stylistic parodies of 1940s and 50s B-movies, sitcoms, and educational films, positioning Penny as an (anti)hero in a unique cinematic landscape that foreshadows later blockbusters like Adaptation.