By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.5 cats
Director: Deepa Mehta
Starring: Bruce Greenwood | Emilia Fox | Jackie Burroughs | Kristen Thomsen
Country: canada, united_kingdom
Year: 2003
Running time: 95
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0345855/
Michael says: “Catching up on my Canadian films, this romance directed by Deepa Mehta (WATER; FIRE) was adapted from a novel by the talented Carol Shields. It played the Toronto International Film Festival in 2003, and was released in Canada the following year, but I don’t think it ever received a US release. It was picked up for distribution as many Canadian films are, by Film Movement. I really wasn’t expecting much from it, and actually had it hanging around my house for weeks before finally watching it on a flight to San Francisco.
“What a delightful surprise! This love story is a complex examination of two people who shouldn’t work together, but give it a try anyway. Tom Avery (a dashing and compelling Bruce Greenwood) is a late night, lonelyhearts DJ who loves to be in love. He’s been married three times, but none of them have worked. His mother (a plucky and irrepressible Jackie Burroughs) chalks it up to bad luck, but is certain that he will find the right gal. Fay, on the other hand, is a beautiful and smart museum curator who is researching the myth of the mermaid. When her boyfriend proposes, she immediately breaks up with him, unable to commit her heart to a romantic engagement. Inevitably the two meet, fall instantly in love and immediately approach their relationship from opposite directions. Tom surges forward, ready to commit to his soul mate for life, while Fay seeks to take tentative steps toward something that could result in a life of happiness… if she can just trust her heart. Just when things seem to be on the right track, a shocking turn of events disrupts Fay’s family and causes Fay herself to doubt everything. We’re certain everything will work out for our romantic heroes, but getting to that place is great movie entertainment.
“Mehta really does everything right in this film. Toronto looks fabulous, so sleek, modern and elegant. The large supporting cast is superb in well-developed roles, and includes some terrific turns by Rebecca Campbell, Kristen Thomsen, David Hubbard, Edward Fox, Claire Bloom, Martha Henry and the afore-mentioned Jackie Burroughs. As I mentioned earlier, the leads are terrific. Emilia Fox’s Fay is confident, smart and wonderfully thrown by the depth of her feelings toward Tom. And Bruce Greenwood has never been better as an aging single man, still attractive (with a killer body, I might add) and an optimistic attitude. Mehta also weaves some terrific Indian music into the soundtrack that has no connection whatsoever to the story, but enhances it with its exotic sounds. The lighting is wonderful, and camera work sublime.
“If you’re in the mood for a smart, delightful romance, check out THE REPUBLIC OF LOVE. 4 ½ cats”