Intelligent comedies that blend sports jokes, gay jokes
and a touching story about a really cute kid are hard to find. In fact, nearly
impossible. Breakfast with Scot accomplishes all three without ever relying on cheap gags, stereotypes or
clichés. Plus, the acting is great.
Tom Cavanaugh is pitch-perfect as the closeted ex-Maple
Leaf, who along with his partner Sam (Ben Shenkman) finds himself the reluctant
temporary dad of fey 11 year old Scot (played by talented newcomer Noah
Bernett). Of course, the boy's presence in their lives forces them to examine their own identities, as they struggle to help him find his.
Outside the theatre before the film began, a woman
approached me to ask ?is this the one that everyone is begging for a ticket to
downstairs?? When I said it was Breakfast With Scot, she
replied with ?Yep, that?s the one. I love it when people get so excited they?re
begging for tickets! I?ve done that!? Indeed, so have most avid TIFF attendees.
Breakfast With Scot is
one of those movies that?s worth lining up for.
On hand to answer audience questions and comments at last
night?s absolutely packed house at the Scotiabank Theatre were director Laurie
Lynd, along with Cavanaugh and Bernett.
When an audience member asked Bernett what it felt like
seeing himself on screen, he joked ?It feels just like watching a movie, kind
of. It doesn?t really feel weird, and I know what?s coming next, always?.
Cavanaugh got on stage a few moments after the other two,
just in time to answer what the most fun part of making the movie was for him.
He pondered for a second then said ?hmm, kissing Ben Shenkman or playing
hockey. One of the two!?
Responding to questions about what drew them to the project,
Lynd cited ?the great story, based on the novel by Michael Downing, adapted
into a wonderful screenplay by Sean Raycraft?, also adding that he
really identified with Scot ? ?I wasn?t that flamboyant but there was some of
me in there?. Cavanaugh mentioned getting to play hockey on screen (apparently,
Lynd was relieved that the actor is not only a fan of the sport, but also a
pretty good skater), while Bernett quipped ?It was a job?.
The film screened with an absolutely charming short called No
Bikini (pictured, right) about a girl who, at the age of seven, pretends to
be a boy for six glorious weeks of swimming classes, simply by not wearing the
top of her two-piece bathing suit. the film is visually delightful and the
story is heartwarming. It reminded me of being a little girl myself, and once
seriously asking whether I could be a boy when I grew up, because they seemed
to have all the fun.
Check out the second screening of Breakfast
With Scot and No Bikini on Tuesday Sept 11, 9:00am at the Scotiabank Theatre.
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