Watch The Builder

The Builder is a 2010 drama film that follows the story of a young woman named Collette, a contractor that is struggling to save her family's small construction business while dealing with personal turmoil. The film takes place in a rural town, where Collette lives with her mother and younger sister. Despite her efforts to keep the business afloat, Collette faces numerous setbacks, including her mother's deteriorating health and a dwindling amount of clients. To add to her stress, her father recently passed away, leaving her to take over the family business.

Amidst this chaos, Collette meets Michael, a wealthy businessman who offers her a project that could revive the company. However, as the project progresses, Collette realizes that Michael's motives are not entirely pure. She must decide whether to compromise her values for the sake of the business or risk losing everything she has worked so hard for.

The film explores themes of family, identity, and the struggles of small business owners. Collette is a strong and resilient woman who faces obstacles head-on, yet struggles to confront her own personal demons. Her relationship with Michael is complicated and layered, and the film is careful to not make him a one-dimensional villain.

The cinematography is beautiful, with sweeping shots of the rural countryside and intimate close-ups of the characters. The score is haunting and adds to the film's overall mood.

One of the film's strengths is its depiction of the construction business, which is rarely explored in film. The Builder provides a glimpse into the challenges that contractors face, from dealing with clients to navigating local bureaucracy.

The acting is also noteworthy, especially Courtney Bowles in the lead role of Collette. She portrays a complex character with nuance and depth, making her struggles feel real and relatable. Robert Donne and Stuart Dumais also give solid performances as Michael and Collette's younger sister.

Overall, The Builder is a well-crafted drama that tells a compelling story about a young woman who must fight to save her family's business. It explores universal themes and does so in a way that feels authentic and grounded. Fans of character-driven dramas will find much to appreciate in this film.