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The Grand Seduction

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The Grand Seduction (Facebook)
The Grand Seduction (Facebook)
What's it about:

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, the acting mayor has no choice but to pull out all the stops and begin The Grand Seduction.

What we thought:

I don’t come from a small town but I can imagine that there is something comforting in living the life your father did, your father’s father did and your father’s father. A life where hard work pays off, where a man takes pride in the work he does no matter how menial it may be. And the feelings of accomplishment in knowing that he can provide for his family.

These are the scenes that greet us in the beginning of the movie. Narrated by Murphy French (Brendan Gleeson), he reflects on his younger days and the glory days of his hometown. Fast forward and we see an adult Murphy who looks beat down by life and circumstance.

The small harbour town Tickle Cove has fallen on hard times and unable to fish and export their catch, the men line up every week for a welfare cheque. Things hit an all time low for Murray when his wife leaves to work in a neighbouring city. Determined to get his wife back and to change their situation, Murray embarks on a plan to secure a new factory development in the town. All they need is a permanent doctor to secure the deal.

Enter Dr. Lewis (Taylor Kitsch), a plastic surgeon that got roped into a short term stint as the town doctor. Murray gets the rest of the town on board to seduce him into staying long term. What follows are a series of events and incidents in which the town folk woe him into staying. The lengths to which the town commiserate together will have you laughing and even going aaah.

As far as plot and character development goes there isn’t much. What keeps you entertained are the various characters and the intricate incidents the town folk think up.

The star of the show is without a doubt Gleeson. He’s this rough and tough character who has a certain charm and softness about him. It is also endearing the lengths he would go to, to save his town. He is the heart of the film.
Kitsch is just okay. While the film is centered around his character the film isn’t really about him.

While The Grand Seduction might not be a big box office money maker it is a beautiful, entertaining story. Ultimately it’s a story about community, family and ending the day in the arms of the one you love. There are worst things at the movies to spend your money on than this one.


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