Frühstück mit Scot

Having seen the preview for this, I was intrigued and decided to give it a try. It turned out to be yet another example of why I prefer films made outside of the U.S. The writing was first-rate and hilarious, and the performances were uniformly brilliant. Tom Cavanaugh is one of the most watchable comedic talents anywhere, Ben Shenkman (who reminds me a lot of Harold Ramis) was equally superb, and young actors Noah Bernett (as Scot) and Dylan Everett (Ryan) really shined in their roles as well. There are plenty of laughs and poignant moments in equal measure, with the underlying theme of accepting and loving others for who they are. Hockey is a major focus in the film, but it can be enjoyed by those who aren't familiar with the game. Aside from a few instances of salty language (including a couple "f-bombs"), it's family-friendly and the issues involved are handled with tact and gentle humor. Highly recommended.

I haven't read the book so I only have to go on what I saw. The premise is great - fresh and funny. A masculine gay couple end up as guardians of their effeminate 11 year old nephew and try to make a man out of him. The story is less about changing the nephew and more about changing the gay couple, in particular the partner who is an ex-Toronto Maple Leafs hockey player. The movie was enjoyable, light hearted, and good natured but it lacked something -- it resembled an after-school special at times, especially towards the end. There are too many characters with bit parts that don't make enough of an impact in the film. There is a neighbourhood tough kid who inexplicably becomes a friend of the flamboyant nephew and co-workers who come in and out of the film but never really say anything meaningful. An awkward meeting with a school teacher results in her suggesting the boy watch TV to find other role models -- a very clumsy scene without cause or precedence. The writer and director needed to streamline the movie and identify scenes that needed to be pumped up to give the story some poignancy. I was never quite drawn in, brought to tears, laughed out loud or was worried that things might not work out. Its a sweet story but could have been better.

In Toronto, the Maple Leaf hockey player Eric McNally (Tom Cavanagh) breaks his shoulder in four pieces while training and is forced to end his career. Five years later, he is a sportscaster, working with his assistant Nula (Jeananne Goossen) that is the only person in the TV that knows that Eric is gay and lives with the lawyer Sam (Ben Shenkman).

When the drug addicted girlfriend Julie of Sam's brother Billy (Colin Cunningham) dies from an overdose, her son Scot (Noah Bernett) is sent to the social care. Sam contacts Billy that is in Brazil, and tells that Julie has assigned him with the custody of the boy and the insurance money. Billy is tempted by the money and promises to return to Toronto in the end of the year and Sam convinces Eric to lodge Scot at home.

Scot was raised by his mother and is a sissy. The lives of Eric and Sam turn upside down with the boy and Eric gives his best efforts to give a father's influence to Scot.

"Breakfast with Scot" is a funny and corny gay movie, with a predictable story. It is funny to see the gay Eric trying to educate Scot as a man since the boy is also gay. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Uma Família Bem Diferente" ("A Quite Different Family")

this being a movie made in my hometown( the dundas square certainly looks at its best now) i was very skeptical of a movie that will once again promote gay rights simply because its... "cool"(!?) to do so. frankly i was afraid for some hidden agendas of extreme nature + mature matter. besides any Canadian movie, especially action or comedies tend to be lame quickly forgettable. our home grown directors tend to pay more attention to artistic merits then to the actual subject/matter/plot...

well i was wrong; turns out that this comedy has quiet a lot of witty punch lines for ALL audiences. the situation is about family and not so much about the gay couple. the "contradicted" kid is at the center of the with the 2 main male leads as support.

the production is quiet great, the pace is quiet fast as well( almost no slow moments or fill-ins at all ). the acting is superb especially from the kids and Thomas Cavanagh. Ben Shenkman is more just of a stereotype character.

while i would still not recommend this movie to pre-teen kids, adolescents and teens would have nothing to "worry" about.as for any sexuality issues, there is only a quick, minimal(lips only) male kiss . other then that no intimacy at all that might offend some viewers.

I wanted to like this movie. Tom Cavanaugh is a good actor and deserves better writing. From the get go I didn't believe these two guys were a couple. There was no chemistry between them. The pathetic exchanges of affection seemed designed for an after school special. If it's a move not for kids then why make a movie suitable for kids? Seems like shooting itself in the foot. The writer seemed to be trying too hard to be cute and the obvious reaching for jokes kept it from being engaging. I didn't believe one bit of it. It was so obviously fake that I had to clean house while it played out and I hate cleaning house. The character Billy is supposed to be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yet customers in his store speak perfect English. The whole thing just never rang true.