TED KOTCHEFF

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB. 

Canada, 1974.  Astral Bellevue Pathé, Canadian Film Development Corporation, Duddy Kravitz Syndicate, Famous Players, International Cinemedia Center, United Welco.  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.  

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.

Academy Award Nomination:  Best Adapted Screenplay

Golden Globe Award Nomination:  Best Foreign Film

Berlin Film Festival Award: Golden Bear