With a Napoleon Dynamite-type feel, the Canadian film Citizen Duane is an offbeat comedy about a teenaged boy, born into a family of spectacular failure.

After losing in his high school student election to his arch-nemesis Chad Milton, Duane Balfour (Douglas Smith) decides to set his sights higher in an attempt to change his family's legacy. He throws his hat into the mayoral race running against Milton's grandmother and long-time incumbent Kelly Milton. The only other candidate is a homeless man named Vince.

The quirky plot is the brainchild of young director Michael Mabbott, who won acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival last year with his debut feature The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico, which shared the CityTV award for best Canadian first feature film.

"This was a unique project in the sense that we had a crazy man directing the film," Smith, a B.C.-native, told eTalk. "And I think the writer (Jonathan Sobol) was clinically insane as well so everyone was walking around like they were half drunk."

That's probably the only way to explain this ridiculously-funny flick which includes a scene where Balfour's uncle tells of his failed stint to use a monkey as a horse jockey.

"The monkey that rides the horse is my favourite part of the movie," said Smith. "I've already said that that's the climax of the movie and you don't really need to stay to see the rest."

"I've watched the scene five times and every time I fall off my chair laughing."

Balfour, with his 13-year-old brother by his side, eventually launches his mayoral campaign while encountering a variety of obstacles. Along the way, Balfour's mother Bonnie (Alberta Watson), manages to both help and hinder her son's ambitious attempt.

The Canadian actress, familiar to most from her role as Erin Driscoll in 24, says she took on the role because she has empathy for those going through the awkward teen years.

"I really enjoy stories about the rebellious youths because I remember being that young and how confusing the world had seemed," Watson told eTalk.

Rounding out the cast is Vivica Fox who plays Balfour's ever-encouraging teacher.

The slapstick style of comedy is openly embraced and acknowledged by Mabbott.

"I love comedy, I'm not that complex -- man falls off bar stool, boy falls off bike -- that to me is very funny," the director told eTalk.

While the comedy may be slapstick, the film's characters still manage to connect with the audience.

"I love good people doing bad things," said Mabbott. "Well-intended people executing well-intended ideas... both Duane and Terrifico are good guys that are trying to do something that others might not have the courage to do."

Mabbott also praised Smith for his portrayal of Duane Balfour.

"There's a lot of buzz about that guy," he said, explaining how Smith was picked for the role. "It was as much as anything that he had the kindness of this guy (Balfour)."

When he's not on screen, Smith -- whose brother, Gregory, plays Ephram Brown on Everwood -- takes time out to play music on stage.

"I always played for my friends and everybody on the set but the last couple months I started playing open mics and I started getting booked for shows," Smith told eTalk.

Whether it's film or music, it seems Canada's next rising star is destined for an un-Balfour fate of spectacular success.