MovieChat Forums > Breakfast with Scot (2007) Discussion > Breakfast with Scot

Breakfast with Scot

posted 17 years ago by canmark
18 replies | jump to latest

At the InsideOut Film Festival in Toronto (in May), director Laurie Lynd showed selected scenes from the film (about 20 minutes in total), which is still in post-production.

Designed to reach a broad audience (PG-rated in Canada), the film has the look of a made-for-TV movie or an episode of Degrassi, which is not entirely a bad thing.

SLIGHT SPOILERS:

The premise involves a straight-laced gay couple (a former hockey player-turned-sportscaster and a lawyer) who are befuddled after unexpectedly adopting an 11 year old boy, Scot. (Scot is the son of one of the gay guys' brother; the mother of the boy has just died).

Tom Cavanaugh turns in a winning performance as the film's protagonist. Despite his character flaws, he is totally likeable, and one can't help but feel for him (and laugh) when, for example, Scot innocently asks, "How do you keep track of who knows you're gay and who doesn't?"

The film slyly acknowledges some of society's reservations about gay parenting with humor. Says TC to his partner, "I'm not worried about us turning Scot gay; I'm worried about HIM turning US gay."

Scot is portrayed as a well-adjusted sissy boy (to paraphrase the director, who says the film "celebrates the sissy"), who likes to dress up, wear makeup and figure skate. But these are anathema in Cavanaugh's masculine world of sports journalism, and he is unsure of whether to be proud of or embarrassed by the boy.

The film has a very positive message of acceptance, and should be good for families, teens, and obviously the gay market. Whether any or all of these support the film, we'll see.

Lynd is hoping the film will be accepted to the Toronto Film Festival (I don't see why it wouldn't), and has yet to show the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or Wayne Gretzky, all of whom gave their approval to use their logos or likeness in the film.

He expects the film to get a Fall or pre-Christmas release, although that may depend on whether the film picks up a US distributor (hence the importance of being part of the Toronto Film Fest, which would raise its profile and showcase the film to the industry). Canadian distributor is http://www.caprifilms.com/

[–] canmark 17 years ago

It's official: Breakfast with Scot will screen at the Toronto International Film Festival. http://www.tiff07.ca/mediacentre/details.aspx?Id=464

BREAKFAST WITH SCOT Laurie Lynd
Exploring society's resistance to the acceptance of gay heroes, BREAKFAST WITH SCOT tells of a very straight gay couple - Sam, an ex-Toronto Maple Leaf, and Ed, the team's lawyer - whose lifestyle and relationship are shocked when they become the guardians of a flamboyant 11-year-old named Scot. Reluctant and conflicted about bringing up the boy, their feelings change as the pair are caught off guard by this unique young character who is joyously and unashamedly himself. Endorsed by the National Hockey League, the film stars Tom Cavanaugh, Ben Shenkman and Noah Bernett.

[–] canmark 17 years ago

Both screenings of Breakfast with Scot at the Toronto Film Festival (including a 9am Tuesday morning screening) are already sold out! Drat, I tried to get tickets to both screening on my pass and didn't get either. :-( Looks like it's ye olde rush line for me.

The film's star, Tom Cavanaugh, is on the cover of NOW, Toronto's free entertainment weekly (inclucing 3/5 star review of the film).
http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2007-08-30/cover_story2.php

Meanwhile Toronto's gay paper xtra! has article on the film's director, Laurie Lynd.
http://www.xtra.ca/public/viewstory.aspx?AFF_TYPE=3&STORY_ID=3521&PUB_TEMPLATE_ID=3

Premiere this Sunday September 9th, 6:30pm. http://www.tiff07.ca/filmsandschedules/filmdetails.aspx?ID=705011503161386

[–] hm251183 17 years ago

Do you know if Tom Cavanagh is expected at the TIFF? Is it a red carpet premiere type deal, or just a screening?

[–] canmark 17 years ago

I was at the premiere screening last night. Director Laurie Lynd, and stars Tom Cavanaugh and Noah Bernett (who played Scot) were in attendance. The film was very well received. It's a sweet and funny *family* comedy, about a kind of family we don't often see in the media.

Cavanaugh was very engaging as a man who sees his finally stable life disrupted by this unexpected boy, but comes to love the joys (and challenges) of parenthood and the meaning of family. He and Ben Shenkman are very authentic as a couple, and the minor characters (particularly Scot's quirky school friend Joey Morita) are hilarious. Noah Bernett is amazing in what you would think would be a difficult role, a scarf-wearing sissy boy who, in the end, is just a boy, with all the wide-eyed innocence that implies. He is able to teach Cavanaugh's character about about acceptance of oneself and of others, yet we're never hit over the head with messages or meanings, and the gay themes of the film are subtly and deftly handled within the mainstream comedy structure.

Wonderful script and great direction by Laurie Lynd who masterfully balanced the comedy and drama, and was able to produce a very touching and endearing film.

[–] MissMcCrocodile 17 years ago

I just saw the movie this morning and I totally agree with your review, canmark. I found the film charming and would definitely recommend it. I'll probably see it again when it's released.

[–] melhughson 17 years ago

I'm really impressed with the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise allowing the use of their logo for this movie, and accepting the backlash that may go with it.

If it wins a Gemini award, would that be the equivalent of a long-awaited Stanley Cup?? ;)

Can't wait to see this... will likely try to hunt down the book as well, as recommended earlier.

[–] johnward22 17 years ago

This sounds like a great film!

When was it shot?

[–] canmark 16 years ago

The movie was shot last year around this time. I recall seeing Ben Shenkman at the Pusateri's (gourmet food store) in Yorville around the time the film was being made.

Eye Weekly in Toronto has a contest where you can win a dinner with the director Laurie Lynd (and others) at the Drake Hotel. Enter by November 9th. Film opens in Toronto on the 16th.

http://www.eyeweekly.com/contests/breakfastwithscot/index.php

[–] canmark 16 years ago

Breakfast with Scot opened this weekend in Toronto (4 theatres) and Vancouver (1 theatre), and will gradually expand throughout Canada.

They don't have a U.S. distribution deal yet, but hope to screen at Sundance and/or get some support from someone like Rosie O'Donnell, who would likely appreciate the film's gay family theme.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] enterdream2 16 years ago

There's a big poster of Wayne Gretzky in Scot's bedroom. So it's not just his name being mentioned, but his image as well.

[–] canmark 16 years ago

They actually had to get Wayne Gretzky's permission to use that poster, just as they had to get permission from the NHL/Leafs to use their likenesses.

[–] canmark 16 years ago

Just discovered the movie website: http://www.caprifilms.com/breakfastwithscot/index.html

[–] wardbeattie 16 years ago

Well, they got distribution on Air Canada. I just saw the film on a flight from Seattle to Toronto. Nice, sweet film. Even I (never a fan) enjoyed all the hockey stuff ... especially since it really animates both Scot and Eric.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] BrightRainbowLight 16 years ago

I bought and read the book long before I even found out about the movie, and even then it was a nightmare to get it. Heard about from on a GLBT book list.
Currently, thought, it's really accessible, easy to get, and cheap on Chapters.com, if you live in Canada, I'm not sure they ship internationally. You can also try Amazon.com, or eBay.com.

Good Luck! Hope you read it soon, it was a great book!

[–] canmark 16 years ago

The DVD is distributed in Canada by Mongrel Media as of March 18/08. It's available to order on Amazon.ca.

http://www.amazon.ca/Breakfast-With-Scott/dp/B00118S6CY/ref=pd_bowtega_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1205680396&sr=1-1

[–] RodFtLaud 15 years ago

Going to see this movie in about an hour. Thanks for the mini-reviews everyone. I had no idea what it was about other than a trailer i saw months ago.

"Hot sun, cool breeze, white horse on the sea, and a big shot of vitamin B in me!"