Degrassi Takes Manhattan
Encyclopedia
The Rest of My Life: Degrassi Takes Manhattan is a 2010 Canadian film adaptation of the popular, long-running teenage drama Degrassi
, which was known as Degrassi: The Next Generation prior to this film. The movie premiered in Canada on MuchMusic
on 16 July 2010, and in the United States on TeenNick
on 19 July 2010. It was directed by veteran Degrassi actor-director, Stefan Brogren
. Degrassi Takes Manhattan is the second feature-length movie of the Next Generation cast, and the third feature-length film in the Degrassi franchise, the first being 1992's School's Out
. For syndication purposes, the film will also be shown as a four-part episode titled "The Rest of My Life".
This movie brought TeenNick its highest ratings ever, the most watched telecast on the network, and the most watched telecast by teens on the evening of 19 July. An extended version of the film was released as a bonus on the show's season 9 DVD on 20 July 2010.
With nothing to do for the summer for Jane, she gets invited to live in the penthouse suite in Manhattan with Holly J., Declan and his sister Fiona. After being a third wheel to Declan and Holly J., Jane continues to explore New York, and gets invited to front an indie band, which will be playing on TVM, the music channel where Holly J. is about to start her internship. TVM is a parody of MTV
, but was filmed in the MuchMusic
studios in 299 Queen Street West, Toronto. On Holly J.'s first day, she runs into Jay Manuel
, as himself, who gives her a warning about her new boss, Kristin, who is played by MTV Canada
host Jessi Cruickshank
. Holly J. also finds out that Fiona will be interning there, as a result of her jealousy to Holly J.'s time with Declan. A feud breaks out between Holly J. and Fiona, attempting to hurt each other emotionally. Holly J. locks Fiona in a room before a live broadcast, and Fiona attempts to get Declan on her side. She plans a party in their penthouse, to show Holly J., Declan's ex-girlfriends, but when this does not affect Holly J., she proceeds to kiss her brother Declan, to make a scene. This causes Declan to side with his seemingly crazy sister, and Holly J. running out for the night. The following morning, though, he talks to Holly J., winning her back, and asking Fiona to move out.
In an attempt to cheer up Spinner, Emma, Manny, and Jay "kidnap" him, and take him to a casino hotel at Niagara Falls. After some successful games of blackjack, Emma and Spinner become drunk, and wake up the following morning, not remembering what had happened. They find out that they spent their winnings on a legal marriage, and an ugly, unreturnable ring. In the following days they become closer to each other, and begin to think that they may not get a divorce. When Spinner tells Jane that they will hold a ceremony that Saturday, Jane realizes that she still has feelings for him, and convinces Holly J. and Declan to drive her back to Toronto. When Spinner and Emma start to question their marriage, they both say to each other that they want to wait to see if it works. They each go back to their friends, retelling the conversation in their head, until they realize that they do love each other. Spinner runs back to the Simpson/Nelson house to profess his love for Emma, as Snake and Spike have returned home from their vacation. And everyone decides to hold the wedding ceremony.
Not wanting Jane to stop the wedding, Holly J. and Declan try to slow down the road trip, until Jane steals the car. She reaches the lake side party before the ceremony is about to begin, and finds Spinner's tent. After seeing that Spinner is in love with Emma, she allows the wedding to continue. The movie ends at the dance after the wedding.
Former Degrassi: The Next Generation co-star Aubrey Graham is spoken of in dialogue – under his stage name "Drake" – by Kristin (Jessi Cruickshank
) during her first appearance, making Drake the second Degrassi actor to exist within the Degrassi fictional universe independently of his character. His character, Jimmy Brooks, is neither seen nor referred to in Degrassi Takes Manhattan, and was last seen in season 8. The first actor to do this was Shenae Grimes
in Degrassi Goes Hollywood
.
Jessi Cruickshank, who plays Holly J's boss Kristin, is the second The After Show
host to appear in a Degrassi movie. Her After Show co-host Dan Levy
co-starred in Degrassi Goes Hollywood
as Paige's boss Robbie, a film producer.
on 13 July 2010, and CD on 20 July 2010. It features songs from Canadian indie bands, as well as original songs performed by cast members.
Robert Fletcher, Mike Baskervillem, John Dykstra, Danielle McBride, Dan Sexton, and Virginia Storey, collectively received a Gemini Award
nomination for best sound in a dramatic program, for their work in Degrassi Takes Manhattan, but lost to The Pillars of the Earth
.
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
, which was known as Degrassi: The Next Generation prior to this film. The movie premiered in Canada on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
on 16 July 2010, and in the United States on TeenNick
TeenNick
TeenNick, formerly The N, is an American television network aimed at the teenage market. TeenNick is owned by the MTV Networks subsidiary, Viacom. The channel was originally known as The N from its April 1, 2002 launch until September 28, 2009....
on 19 July 2010. It was directed by veteran Degrassi actor-director, Stefan Brogren
Stefan Brogren
Stefan Brogren is a Canadian actor and director. He is best known as Archibald "Archie"/"Snake” Simpson in the Degrassi franchise of television shows.-Career:...
. Degrassi Takes Manhattan is the second feature-length movie of the Next Generation cast, and the third feature-length film in the Degrassi franchise, the first being 1992's School's Out
School's Out (film)
School's Out is a 1992 Canadian television movie featuring the characters of the popular Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High series. The show's longtime team of writers scripted this feature-length movie and shot it during the summer of 1991 to be shown on CBC Television during the new year...
. For syndication purposes, the film will also be shown as a four-part episode titled "The Rest of My Life".
This movie brought TeenNick its highest ratings ever, the most watched telecast on the network, and the most watched telecast by teens on the evening of 19 July. An extended version of the film was released as a bonus on the show's season 9 DVD on 20 July 2010.
Plot
The film begins with the members of Janie & the Studz featuring Peter Stone making their way to the front of Degrassi Community School as the last minutes of the school year tick down. Knowing that Spinner and Jane want to spend more time together in the summer, Spinner hires Emma as a new server, giving her the instructions not to use the sandwich grill until she is fully oriented. With The Dot now employed, Spinner and Jane head to the Coyne's pool party. While in the dressing tent, Holly J. and Jane talk about the time Jane cheated on Spinner with Holly J.'s boyfriend, Declan, with Spinner listening outside. This new information, along with Jane leaving the country to go to college, causes Spinner to break-up with Jane in a big scene. Upon returning to The Dot, Spinner finds it on fire, as a result of Emma using the shorting sandwich grill. This causes Spinner to fall into an even deeper depression, where he violently removes all Jane memorabilia from his loft.With nothing to do for the summer for Jane, she gets invited to live in the penthouse suite in Manhattan with Holly J., Declan and his sister Fiona. After being a third wheel to Declan and Holly J., Jane continues to explore New York, and gets invited to front an indie band, which will be playing on TVM, the music channel where Holly J. is about to start her internship. TVM is a parody of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, but was filmed in the MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
studios in 299 Queen Street West, Toronto. On Holly J.'s first day, she runs into Jay Manuel
Jay Manuel
Jay Manuel is a Canadian make-up artist, fashion photographer, and model. He is most recognizable as the director of photo shoots on the popular reality television show America's Next Top Model...
, as himself, who gives her a warning about her new boss, Kristin, who is played by MTV Canada
MTV Canada
MTV is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel devoted to talk, lifestyle and documentary programming.MTV is owned by Bell Media, with its name licensed from the American channel of the same name, which is owned by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom.The channel launched as talktv...
host Jessi Cruickshank
Jessi Cruickshank
Jessica Shaia "Jessi" Cruickshank is a Canadian television personality. She is the former co-host of MTV Canada's program The After Show and its various incarnations including The Hills: The After Show and The City: Live After Show with co-host Dan Levy...
. Holly J. also finds out that Fiona will be interning there, as a result of her jealousy to Holly J.'s time with Declan. A feud breaks out between Holly J. and Fiona, attempting to hurt each other emotionally. Holly J. locks Fiona in a room before a live broadcast, and Fiona attempts to get Declan on her side. She plans a party in their penthouse, to show Holly J., Declan's ex-girlfriends, but when this does not affect Holly J., she proceeds to kiss her brother Declan, to make a scene. This causes Declan to side with his seemingly crazy sister, and Holly J. running out for the night. The following morning, though, he talks to Holly J., winning her back, and asking Fiona to move out.
In an attempt to cheer up Spinner, Emma, Manny, and Jay "kidnap" him, and take him to a casino hotel at Niagara Falls. After some successful games of blackjack, Emma and Spinner become drunk, and wake up the following morning, not remembering what had happened. They find out that they spent their winnings on a legal marriage, and an ugly, unreturnable ring. In the following days they become closer to each other, and begin to think that they may not get a divorce. When Spinner tells Jane that they will hold a ceremony that Saturday, Jane realizes that she still has feelings for him, and convinces Holly J. and Declan to drive her back to Toronto. When Spinner and Emma start to question their marriage, they both say to each other that they want to wait to see if it works. They each go back to their friends, retelling the conversation in their head, until they realize that they do love each other. Spinner runs back to the Simpson/Nelson house to profess his love for Emma, as Snake and Spike have returned home from their vacation. And everyone decides to hold the wedding ceremony.
Not wanting Jane to stop the wedding, Holly J. and Declan try to slow down the road trip, until Jane steals the car. She reaches the lake side party before the ceremony is about to begin, and finds Spinner's tent. After seeing that Spinner is in love with Emma, she allows the wedding to continue. The movie ends at the dance after the wedding.
Cast
- Raymond Ablack portrays Sav Bhandari
- Dalmar AbuzeidDalmar AbuzeidDalmar Abuzeid is a Canadian actor. He plays the character Danny Van Zandt on the Canadian series Degrassi: The Next Generation. He also plays a main role on the Teletoon series Majority Rules!...
portrays Danny Van Zandt - Charlotte ArnoldCharlotte ArnoldCharlotte Arnold is a Canadian film actress and television actress best known as the character of Holly J. Sinclair in Degrassi: The Next Generation and Sadie Hawthorne in the Canadian TV series Naturally, Sadie.- Biography :...
portrays Holly Jeanette "Holly J." SinclairHolly J. SinclairHolly J. Sinclair is a fictional character on the Canadian television drama Degrassi: The Next Generation and is portrayed by Charlotte Arnold. Holly J., the adopted sister of unseen character Heather Sinclair, is the Queen Bee of Degrassi Community School. Holly J... - Sarah Barrable-Tishauer portrays Liberty Van Zandt
- Paula BrancatiPaula BrancatiPaula Brancati is a Canadian actress who performs in live theatre, television, and film. She is most notable for her roles as Jenny Zalen on Being Erica, Cally Stone on Dark Oracle and Jane Vaughn on Degrassi: The Next Generation.Brancati was born in Markham, Ontario, Canada. She is a fan of Al...
portrays Jane Vaughn - Stefan BrogrenStefan BrogrenStefan Brogren is a Canadian actor and director. He is best known as Archibald "Archie"/"Snake” Simpson in the Degrassi franchise of television shows.-Career:...
portrays Archie "Snake" SimpsonArchie SimpsonArchibald Rupert "Snake” Simpson is a fictional character on the Degrassi series portrayed by Stefan Brogren. His first appearance in the series was as an eighth grade student on Degrassi Junior High ... - Annie Clark portrays Fiona Coyne
- Robin Craig portrays Mrs. Mason
- Jessi CruickshankJessi CruickshankJessica Shaia "Jessi" Cruickshank is a Canadian television personality. She is the former co-host of MTV Canada's program The After Show and its various incarnations including The Hills: The After Show and The City: Live After Show with co-host Dan Levy...
portrays Kristin - Anna CyzonAnna CyzonAnna Cyzon , is a Polish Canadian independent recording artist, actress and former Canadian MTV/etalk personality.-Career:...
portrays Siobhan - Melissa DiMarcoMelissa DiMarcoMelissa DiMarco is an actor, producer, and television personality. She is currently the star, creator, and a writer on Out There with Melissa DiMarco , an award-winning television comedy which airs on Citytv's national network, OMNI.1, and in syndication on OUTtv...
portrays Daphne Hatzilakos - Kenny HotzKenny HotzKenneth Joel "Kenny" Hotz is an award-winning Canadian writer, director, actor, producer and photographer. He is a former South Park consultant/writer, creator/director/co-star of the Showcase and Comedy Central television show Kenny vs...
portrays a record salesman - Suresh John portrays Gamal
- Jamie JohnstonJamie JohnstonJames "Jamie" Johnston is a Canadian actor and singer-songwriter. He is best known for his role as Peter Stone on Degrassi: The Next Generation.-Personal life and career:...
portrays Peter Stone - Shane KippelShane KippelShane Warren Kippel is a Canadian television actor. From 2001-2010, he appeared as a regular cast member in the part of Gavin "Spinner" Mason on Degrassi: The Next Generation, which is broadcast on CTV in Canada...
portrays Gavin "Spinner" MasonSpinner MasonGavin Reginald "Spinner" Mason, is a fictional high-school graduate in Degrassi: The Next Generation, portrayed by Shane Kippel.-Characterization:... - Tyler KyteTyler KyteJonathan Tyler "Ty" Kyte is a Canadian actor and musician. He began his acting career with commercials and performing in the Musical Tommy in Toronto. Kyte was made famous amongst Canadian youth as a correspondent on the Canadian TV series Popular Mechanics for Kids alongside fellow Canadians...
as himself - Landon LiboironLandon LiboironLandon Liboiron is a Gemini Award nominated Canadian actor. He is best known for his role as Declan in Degrassi: The Next Generation, later named Degrassi. He currently stars in the Fox television series Terra Nova, as 17-year-old Josh Shannon....
portrays Declan Coyne - Mike LobelMike LobelMichael Ryan "Mike" Lobel is a Canadian actor.-Life and career:Lobel is the oldest of three siblings. At a young age he began showing interest in music and visual arts which drew him to Etobicoke School of the Arts. He attended ESA from 1998 to 2003, first majoring in music then later switching...
portrays Jay HogartJay HogartJason "Jay" Hogart, played by Mike Lobel, is a fictional character on Degrassi: The Next Generation. He is usually portrayed as the school bully and bad boy, but later throughout the series he displays instances of conscience that make him more of an anti-hero... - Elaine LuiElaine LuiElaine "Lainey" Lui is a self-proclaimed gossip maven. She pens a website, laineygossip.com, and is a reporter for CTV's etalk.- Early life and education :...
portrays Lainey - Jajube Mandiela portrays Chantay Black
- Jay ManuelJay ManuelJay Manuel is a Canadian make-up artist, fashion photographer, and model. He is most recognizable as the director of photo shoots on the popular reality television show America's Next Top Model...
as himself - Forbes MarchForbes MarchForbes March is a British-born Canadian actor. Although born in Bristol, South West England, he was raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia.-Biography:...
portrays George - Miriam McDonaldMiriam McDonaldMiriam Katherine McDonald is a Canadian actress and occasional dancer. She is best known for playing Emma Nelson on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation.-Career:...
portrays Emma NelsonEmma NelsonEmma Nelson is a fictional student on the Degrassi: The Next Generation television series, having originated in the series' precursor, Degrassi Junior High. She is portrayed as an adolescent and adult by Miriam McDonald.... - Colin MochrieColin MochrieColin Andrew Mochrie is a Scottish Canadian actor and improvisational comedian, most famous for his appearances on the British and US versions of television improvisation show Whose Line Is It Anyway?.-Early life:...
portrays Larry, a divorce lawyer - Doug MorencyDoug MorencyDoug Morency is a Canadian improviser. A former member of comedy troupe The Second City and The Williamson Playboys with fellow Second City alum Paul Bates...
- Mary MurphyMary Murphy (choreographer)Mary Ann Murphy is a ballroom dance champion, accredited dance judge, and a judge and choreographer on the Fox dance competition-reality show So You Think You Can Dance.-Biography:...
portrays a sales clerk - Scott Paterson portrays Johnny DiMarco
- Aislinn PaulAislinn PaulAislinn Paul is a Canadian actress, best known for her role in Degrassi: The Next Generation as Clare Edwards, the younger sister of Darcy Edwards.-Career:...
portrays Clare Edwards - Melinda ShankarMelinda ShankarMelinda Shankar is a Canadian actress who is best known for playing Alli Bhandari beginning in season 8 of Degrassi: The Next Generation...
portrays Alli Bhandari - Cassie SteeleCassie SteeleCassandra Rae "Cassie" Steele is a Canadian actress and singer-songwriter best known for portraying Manny Santos on Degrassi: The Next Generation.-Life and career:...
portrays Manny SantosManny SantosManuella "Manny" Santos is a fictional character portrayed by Cassie Steele on the television show Degrassi: The Next Generation.-Season 1:... - Amanda SteptoAmanda SteptoAmanda Stepto is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her role as Christine "Spike" Nelson in the Degrassi series.-Personal life:...
portrays Christine "Spike" Nelson - Joy TannerJoy TannerJoy Tanner is an American-born Canadian actress, who is known for her portrayal of Nora McDonald in the Canadian TV series Life with Derek.-Career:Born in Rochester, New York, Tanner has her honors B.A...
portrays Mrs. Coyne - Jessica Tyler portrays Jenna Middleton
- uncredited, Liberty's date, a Toby Isaacs look-alikeLook-alikeA look-alike is a person who closely resembles another person. In popular Western culture, a look-alike is a person who bears a close physical resemblance to a celebrity, politician or member of royalty. Many look-alikes earn a living by making guest appearances at public events or performing on...
Former Degrassi: The Next Generation co-star Aubrey Graham is spoken of in dialogue – under his stage name "Drake" – by Kristin (Jessi Cruickshank
Jessi Cruickshank
Jessica Shaia "Jessi" Cruickshank is a Canadian television personality. She is the former co-host of MTV Canada's program The After Show and its various incarnations including The Hills: The After Show and The City: Live After Show with co-host Dan Levy...
) during her first appearance, making Drake the second Degrassi actor to exist within the Degrassi fictional universe independently of his character. His character, Jimmy Brooks, is neither seen nor referred to in Degrassi Takes Manhattan, and was last seen in season 8. The first actor to do this was Shenae Grimes
Shenae Grimes
Shenae Grimes is a Canadian actress. She currently portrays the role of Annie Wilson on 90210, a spinoff of Beverly Hills, 90210. Prior to that she played Darcy Edwards on Degrassi: The Next Generation...
in Degrassi Goes Hollywood
Degrassi Goes Hollywood
Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood is a 2009 Canadian film adaptation of the popular, long-running teenage drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. The movie premiered in the United States on The N on 14 August 2009, and in Canada on CTV on 30 August 2009. It was directed by veteran Degrassi...
.
Jessi Cruickshank, who plays Holly J's boss Kristin, is the second The After Show
The After Show
The After Show is the blanket title for several talk shows currently or previously aired by the Canadian version of MTV, originally connected to reality series it airs such as Laguna Beach and The Hills...
host to appear in a Degrassi movie. Her After Show co-host Dan Levy
Daniel Levy (TV personality)
Daniel Joseph Levy is a Canadian television personality.Levy was born in Kingston, Ontario, the son of Deborah Divine and Canadian actor Eugene Levy. He is the former co-host of MTV Canada's program The After Show and its various incarnations including The Hills: The After Show and The City: Live...
co-starred in Degrassi Goes Hollywood
Degrassi Goes Hollywood
Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood is a 2009 Canadian film adaptation of the popular, long-running teenage drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. The movie premiered in the United States on The N on 14 August 2009, and in Canada on CTV on 30 August 2009. It was directed by veteran Degrassi...
as Paige's boss Robbie, a film producer.
Absences
The following characters do not appear in the movie, but were regular characters on the show during the previous season.- Sam EarleSam EarleSam Earle is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as K.C. Guthrie, the "tall, handsome, athletic, gifted student" on Degrassi: The Next Generation.-Filmography:...
as K.C. Guthrie - Argiris Karras as Riley Stavros
- Jordan Hudyma as Blue Chessex
- Judy Jiao as Leia Chang
- Samantha MunroSamantha MunroSamantha Munro is an actress who currently lives in Courtice, Ontario, Canada. She is best known for her role as Anya MacPherson on Degrassi: The Next Generation....
as Anya MacPherson - A.J. SaudinA.J. SaudinA.J. Saudin is a Canadian film and television actor best known for his role as Connor in Degrassi: The Next Generation.In 2006, he starred in the film Aruba.-Career:...
as Connor Deslauriers - Natty Zavitz as Bruce the Moose
Music
Degrassi Takes Manhattan: The Heat Is On (Music from the Original Movie) is the title of the movie soundtrack released by digital downloadMusic download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on 13 July 2010, and CD on 20 July 2010. It features songs from Canadian indie bands, as well as original songs performed by cast members.
Robert Fletcher, Mike Baskervillem, John Dykstra, Danielle McBride, Dan Sexton, and Virginia Storey, collectively received a Gemini Award
Gemini Award
The Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
nomination for best sound in a dramatic program, for their work in Degrassi Takes Manhattan, but lost to The Pillars of the Earth
The Pillars of the Earth (TV miniseries)
The Pillars of the Earth is an eight part 2010 TV miniseries, adapted from Ken Follett's novel of the same name. It debuted in the U.S. on Starz and Canada on The Movie Network/Movie Central on July 23, 2010. Its UK premiere was on Channel 4 in October 2010 at 9pm...
.