The Grand Seduction

I live here and I truly did. BUT. First of all it's a rip off of a movie "La Grande Seduction" which was shown about 10 years ago. A much better movie, full of charm. This movie? Admittedly I was turned off early in the game when a young girl's virginity was put on the auction block to tempt a doctor to come to the town of 125 people to facilitate a manufacturing plant's arrival. And then to increase the ick factor her father questions the validity of her "barrier". Suspension of disbelief is called for with a bank servicing a community of 125. Not in my Canada. And a post office. And a bar (commonly called "clubs" in Newfoundland) And how on earth would a doctor make a living in a town of 125? Gordon Pinsent, an eminent grise of Canadian actors, gives a fine performance along with Brendan Gleeson and other stalwarts of Newfoundland theatre and movies. There was much to like and much to dislike in the film. A doctor, engaged to be married, attempts to fool around with the post mistress? And then goes into high dudgeon when he learns his fiancée fools around on him? These weaknesses of script could have been tidied up, the scenery, as always takes one's breath away, the excellent supporting cast and cinematography vie for attention. 6 out of 10. There was an original script in here. It's a shame it wasn't written.

"We have one month to convince our good doctor to sign long term." The town of Tickle Cove is starting to collapse economically. The residents are living on welfare checks and watching everyone they love move into the big city. When they have a chance to secure a contract for a factory for the town they need to do whatever they can. The first thing they need is a doctor. Dr. Lewis (Kitsch) comes to the harbor for a month and local local mayor Murray French (Gleeson) enlists the help of the town to do anything that will make him stay. I have liked pretty much anything that Brendan Gleeson has done. This one is no exception. One of the biggest pet peeves I have about movies is when they're too predictable. Almost from the beginning you are able to tell what will happen and how the movie will end. This is one of the few exceptions where that doesn't hurt the enjoyment of the movie. The writing and comedy is what keeps you watching and laughing the whole way through. It's very entertaining watching the lengths the towns people go to to impress the doctor. The stuff with cricket is my favorite. This is a movie that may not be for everyone but I liked it and I recommend it. Overall, a movie that is very predictable but for once that doesn't hurt the movie. I recommend this but again it's not really for everyone. I give it a B+.

It's an exact replica of the Indie movie called 'Seducing Doctor Lewis'-how in hel can it be winning Indie awards and the original, which is better in every way, get ignored?? It of course does not appear to pay homage to the elder parent. Go watch "Seducing Doctor Lewis", U learned it here first I actually bought the original long ago, so I definitely know what I am talking about

As the title suggests the movie might seduce you. It might sort of trick you into liking it. Why trick you? Because you could easily depict the movie and the story it tries to tell you. It would be very easy in fact. But it's not only the actors (Brendan Gleeson heading the group as "leader"), but also the way the story is portrayed. You will know where this is going, so if you don't like predictable movies, you might want to stay away from this. But you'd be missing on a feel good movie, that really has a lot of heart. Taylor Kitsch might have done some movies that weren't successful and you might not think of him much, but he's doing a good job in this. He's convincing and carries the movie with the others through the finish line ... or whatever equivalent there is in the game he likes ...

Many have summed up the story line accurately so I won't try. My one exception being with the two reviewers who were outraged/confused about why the 'virginity' line was included. It was ONE line joke ONCE. If I hadn't read it here first, I would have not even noticed. It later added to some 'humour' (in quotes in case someone is offended) The girl's father tried to casually ask the girl in question over dinner if anything new and exciting, any 'milestones' had happened recently. Accurately portrayed I thought was the real life story of Canada's fishing industry (east coast in this case, west coast too) which has suffered for a variety of reasons including over fishing, environmental changes, bad fishery management. If queueing up for welfare cheques was an exaggeration, so be it as it drove home the shame and humility of these proud men being forced to do so. They wanted to WORK...at anything so they could feel proud about providing for their families. This drive to feel strong, in control, with a sense of pride was what drove the village of 120 ('Did he say 120? No, says Gordon Pinsent, he meant 220' (they needed 150 workers for the plant to be viable)to such extreme measures to trick the gorgeous Taylor Kitsch to WANT to stay as the doctor.. He was cute in 'Friday Nite Lights'...he is handsome and mature in this film and seems not to be acting at all. I am so bored and tired of multi multi million dollar so called comedies that come out of Hollywood...laugh tracks, slapstick, sight gags, bathroom humour. By comparison,this movie was a breath of fresh air literally. Lovely scenery but not over the top WOW. Simple and lovely in every way.

lovely comedy movie 😃

source: The Grand Seduction

As the title suggests the movie might seduce you. It might sort of trick you into liking it. Why trick you? Because you could easily depict the movie and the story it tries to tell you. It would be very easy in fact. But it's not only the actors (Brendan Gleeson heading the group as "leader"), but also the way the story is portrayed. You will know where this is going, so if you don't like predictable movies, you might want to stay away from this. But you'd be missing on a feel good movie, that really has a lot of heart. Taylor Kitsch might have done some movies that weren't successful and you might not think of him much, but he's doing a good job in this. He's convincing and carries the movie with the others through the finish line ... or whatever equivalent there is in the game he likes ...

In the Grand Seduction, directed by Don McKeller, a big city doctor finds himself out of his element in a remote Newfoundland village that is filled with unusual characters. One might expect such a film to be a cross between "Northern Exposure" and "The Shipping News," but it proved to be nothing like either. The small harbor village of Tickle Head, Newfoundland, needs a doctor. The town leaders want to secure a contract for a petroleum byproduct re-purposing plant, but the petroleum corporation has told them that they will not build the factory unless the town can prove it has a doctor. The fishing has dried up and there are no jobs for Tickle Headers. The townspeople need the petroleum factory to get off welfare and regain their dignity. However, what doctor in his right mind would want to live in Tickle Head? The former mayor of Tickle Head, who takes a job in the Canadian equivalent of the TSA, finds cocaine in the luggage of young man, played by Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights). As luck would have it, the man happens to be a recently minted plastic surgeon. The former mayor lets him slide in exchange for a stint as the town doctor of Tickle Head. Dr. Lewis is to stay long enough in Tickle Head to convince the corporate bigwigs at the petroleum company that he is legitimate - yet he has no knowledge of the scheme. Meanwhile, the Tickle Headers will resort to all manner of covert shenanigans to convince Dr. Lewis that he wants to stay. Beautifully filmed and well-acted, this rollicking comedy entertains and ends on a positive note. Brendan Gleeson and Gordon Pinsent give excellent performances as a couple of grizzled old fishermen who love their town and will do anything to save it. While the plot is fairly basic and the message weak, if you're looking for a good mindless comedy that provides lots of laughs, this one is for you.

The Grand Seduction is a small tale beautifully written in the margins of the big book of life. It's character-driven and presents us with a vibrant acclamation for humanity with all the flaws that make us who we are. Kudos to my Canadian cousins... For those here that have poo-pooed this film because of perceived flaws in the story line, I say balderdash! One of the prerequisites of watching a work of fiction is your suspension of reality. One shouldn't dissect a film looking for gaffs or other reasons to criticize, especially with one such as this with so much warmth and love for the human condition. Although it has been said here before, I must say It's refreshing to see a low budget, independent film with quality and impact. Not one violent scene. Not one special effect. Not one swear word.