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(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.
Astral Bellevue Pathé, Canadian Film Development Corporation, Duddy Kravitz Syndicate, Famous Players, International Cinemedia Center, United Welco
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
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
