Canada, 2003
Director: Jean-Francois Pouliot
Score: ***

Who says Canada does not make feel-good commercial films the way Britain does with THE FULL MONTY and BILLY ELLIOT? From Quebec, in the same vein as LES BOYS and LES BOYS 2 AND 3 comes a story of the underdog trying to make it good. It is the little harbor village of St. Marie that is depleted out of fishing (so true to the Atlantic provinces) that is trying to attract a company to build a factory on the island. Trouble is that there is one condition – there must be a resident doctor.  Hence, the villagers try their best to seduce (or lie) to Dr. Lewis that everything is a bed of roses there.  Similarities abound in the depiction of St Marie when compared to the coastal village of WAKING NED DEVINE – the equivalent Irish box-office success. 

Pouliot’s film is entertaining, topical but a bit too manipulative, as is the fault of many feel good commercial films. Quebecois will probably enjoy this film more owing to its local nuances and brand of humor but still, it is a fun comedy for the not so demanding viewer.

Review by Gilbert Seah.