The Nicola Valley Film Society’s second film of the season has a story that many people in British Columbia could relate to: the struggle to attract a doctor to a small Canadian town.
Granted, the residents of the tiny fishing village Tickle Head, Labrador, do what would only work in the movies to get a doctor — they lie.
The town residents desperately need a doctor to secure a contract for a new plant, which will effectively save the town’s sinking economy.
The Grand Seduction is a remake of a Quebecois film by the same name (only in French, of course) in 2003, and retained its original writers.
Irish actor Brendan Gleeson (Braveheart, Gangs of New York, Harry Potter series) stars as the town’s mayor, Murray French, who orchestrates a village-wide net of charm in which to catch the good doctor.
Kelowna-born actor Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights) stars opposite as Dr. Lewis.
On the surface, the villagers’ attempts to charm the doctor end up charming the audience, but beneath it, it’s the heart that a small community can muster for the good of the group that makes The Grand Seduction a winner.
Though not as critically acclaimed as the 2004 Sundance Film Festival award winner it’s based on, the remake’s earnest whimsy delivers plenty of delightful moments to its audience.
Gleeson will reappear later in the film society’s 2014-15 season as the Irish priest with a threat on his life in the much darker film and season closer Calvary.
The Grand Seduction starts at 7 p.m. in the NVIT lecture theatre on Monday, Oct. 20.
