A small fishing village must procure a local doctor to secure a lucrative business contract. When unlikely candidate and big city doctor Paul Lewis lands in their lap for a trial residence, the townsfolk rally together to charm him into staying. As the doctor’s time in the village winds to a close, acting mayor Murray French has no choice but to pull out all the stops and begin The Grand Seduction.
The take
The Grand Seduction, a remake of 2003 French-Canadian film La Grande Séduction (2003), is a lighthearted comedy about the residents of the small fishing village of Tickle Head, Newfoudland attempting to convince a young doctor to become its long-term caregiver in order to secure a contract for a new petrochemical facility. Desperate to guide the town out of its impoverished conditions and lack of employment opportunities, the citizens band together to pull ever bit out of deceit and chicanery out of their hats (in often laugh-out-loud fashion) in order to sway the young doctor Paul (Taylor Kitsch) into believing that Tickle Head is where he belongs. It’s a lighthearted and funny story, despite undeniably familiar shades of The Shipping News, Doc Hollywood and Funny Farm. Brendan Gleeson is particularly good as the new mayor of town and Paul’s head “seducer”. He gives the film that extra bit of humanity and wry humor that lifts it above the familiar plot points and into “notable recommendation” territory.
This was a good film. Beautifully shot, nice story, and a few laughs.
Add a comment
Your name
Your comment
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
More like this in
Forgotten Love (2023)
The stunning third take of the classic Polish pre-war melodrama
7.7
His Three Daughters (2024)
Three sisters deal with life and death in this moving family portrait
8.9
Wild Tales (2014)
Co-produced by Pedro Almodóvar, this tumultuous Argentine anthology film tests the limits of human sanity when pushed to the extremes – and will also test yours.
9.9
The Farewell (2019)
Awkwafina shines in this complex culture clash comedy.
9.1
Booksmart (2019)
Two academic overachievers from high school set out to prove that they're a smart and fun for one last time.
9.0
Captain Fantastic (2016)
Viggo Mortensen is fantastic in this plot-twisting drama about a survivalist American family
9.5
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (2024)
A gamer with disability crafts a life and community in online roleplay in this unconventional, moving documentary
8.3
Dick Johnson Is Dead (2020)
A darkly hilarious portrait of the inevitability of death
7.9
Handsome Devil (2016)
A sweet and easy coming-of-age comedy
8.0
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Finds magic in the ordinary every day—and reminds us the most special art is that which comes from the heart