BBBB
(out of 5)
Richard Dreyfuss appears in an early starring role of this quirky film version of Mordecai Richler’s popular novel. He plays the son of working-class Jewish parents in Montreal who is absolutely determined to make something of himself in life, though he’s not entirely sure what. While working at a summer resort to make money, he meets a lovely girl (Micheline Lanctôt, lovely) with whom he starts an affair. His plucky personality leads him to such ventures as pinball machines and drug trafficking until eventually he starts making home movies for Bar Mitzvahs. Also starring Randy Quaid, this one is an interesting and enjoyable experience peppered with a few laughs here and there, but not as satisfying as reading Richler’s work itself.
Directed by Ted Kotcheff
Screenplay by Mordecai Richler, adaptation by Lionel Chetwynd, based on the novel by Mordecai Richler
Cinematography by Brian West
Produced by John Kemeny
Production Design by Anne Pritchard
Costume Design by Louise Jobin, Francois Laplante, Luc Le Flaguais
Film Editing by Thom Noble
Film Festivals: Berlin 1974
Cast Tags: Alan Rosenthal, Allan Kolman, Barry Baldaro, Barry Pascal, Denholm Elliott, Edward Resmini, Henry Gamer, Henry Ramer, Jack Warden, Jacques Durette, Joe Silver, Jonathan Robinson, Joseph Wiseman, Judith Gault, Lionel Schwartz, Lou Levitt, Micheline Lanctôt, Mickey Eichen, Norman Taviss, Randy Quaid, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Desroches,Robert Goodier, Sonny Oppenheim, Susan Friedman, Vincent Cole, Zvee Scooler
Academy Award Nomination
Best Writing (Screenplay Adapted From Other Material) (Screenplay by Mordecai Richler; adaptation by Lionel Chetwynd)
Golden Globe Award Nomination
Best Foreign Film (Canada)
New York Film Critics Award Nomination
Best Actor (Richard Dreyfuss)
Berlin Film Festival Award
Golden Berlin Bear
Writers Guild Award
Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium
