By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Laurie Lynd
Starring: Ben Shenkman | Noah Bennett | Sheila McCarthy | Thomas Cavanaugh
Country: canada
Year: 2008
Running time: 104
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910847/
Michael says: “BREAKFAST WITH SCOT was adapted from a lovely novel by Michael Downing that I read several years ago, and despite the fact that it features my husband’s name (correct spelling included) in the title, I had forgotten that I’d read the book until director Laurie Lynd mentioned the author during the film’s introduction. The film is a lovely, heartwarming look at a gay couple and the young boy who changes their lives. Sounds a little too sweet, doesn’t it? Well Lynd, screenwriter Sean Reycraft and a talented cast manage to keep it sweet, but make it a delightfully entertaining and relevant film.
“Sam and Ed are a successful gay couple. Ed is a lawyer, Sam is a sportscaster. The thing is, with Sam’s background (he was a professional Hockey Player on the Toronto Blue Jays until an injury during practice forced him out) keeps him in the closet in his professional life. When Ed’s brother’s girlfriend dies, the couple find themselves in temporary custody of her eleven-year-old son Scot. Scot arrives on their doorstep smartly dressed and very polite, but they soon find out he has a penchance for boas and jewelry, singing showtunes, knitting, and worst of all, has no idea who Wayne Gretzky is. In a smartly drawn, and funny look at internalized homophobia and the way people perceive others, Lynd tells a heartwarming tale for the whole family.
“The cast is terrific. Thomas Cavanaugh is superb as the obstinate, conflicted Sam (the actor is best known for his role in the television series “Ed”) and Ben Shenkman (“Angels in America”) is solid as Ed. The supporting cast features a host of well-known Canadian faces, all of whom transcend the stereotypes to create well-rounded characters. Most delightful of all was the uncredited turn by the sadly underused Sheila McCarthy (I’VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING) whose pitch perfect portrayal of the politically correct elementary school principal is divine. The film succeeds or fails on young Noah Bennett’s portrayal of Scot, and he comes through remarkably. All the kids do a good job, but Bennett’s Scot is sweetly heartbreaking.” 4 cats