"Everything about this movie is quaint - the village, the people, the charm... The people of St. Marie will seduce you as well." Cherryl and Leigh Ann THEMOVIECHICKS.COM "You'll enjoy spending a little time with these people, as the film performs a low-key but irresistible seduction of its own." Moira MacDonald SEATTLE TIMES "Working with Ken Scott's clever script, Pouliot did exactly what he set out to do: Tell a whimsical story with the perfect balance of humour and heart." Bruce Kirkland JAM! MOVIES "So disarming, it's hard to say anything but good things about it." Desson Thomson WASHINGTON POST "It's so full of life and character that you can't help but enjoy it." Jeff Vice DESERET NEWS SALT LAKE CITY USA

"Amusing, feel-good fable, more genial and modest than a farce, yet propelled by gentle, idiosyncratic characters. While formulaic, it's also whimsical and utterly beguiling." Susan Granger MODAMAG.COM "A crowd-pleaser in the best sense of the word." Kevin N Laforest MONTREAL FILM JOURNAL "Often laugh-out-loud funny." Robert W Butler KANSAS CITY STAR "An old-fashioned charmer and a sharp assessment of small-town life." Jeffrey Bruner DES MOINES REGISTER "Sails by on charm and confident character acting, even if it's navigating well-charted waters." Robert K Elder CHICAGO TRIBUNE

At A Glance

"Heart-warming fun it is, and heck, after getting to know its quirky people, it might not be that bad moving to Ste Marie-la- Mauderne." ... Marta Barber MIAMI HERALD

"Seducing Doctor Lewis" is a film I'd best describe as cinematic 'comfort food'. Heck, you know what I mean, don't you? It's just like your favourite dish at your favourite cafe` or restaurant where you order your food and it arrives, as it always does, just as you wanted it. Nothings changed, it's just as enjoyable as the last time, and, after you've consumed every morsal, you feel good all over. Sure you know what's coming but that doesn't spoil the experience does it? No, of course not. And so it is with "Seducing Doctor Lewis" a bright, witty, warm film where you don't have to keep your wits about you because it's all nice and simple. I find it refreshing taking in a film where everything is so uncomplicated, so down to earth and so simplistic. I mean, let's face it, these days life can get pretty complicated so why add to the stress? When it comes to just relaxing, "Seducing Doctor Lewis" provides just the right tonic and an unequalled opportunity to have a good laugh. No, not a laughfest, but a good laugh. Those laughs come thanks to a bevy of unique characters, the clever screenplay by Ken Scott and the skills of director Jean-François Pouliot. Not names you're readily familiar with are they? And except for Ken Scott I too must plead ignorance. So let me introduce you to a few of the people who helped make "Seducing Doctor Lewis", the cute little comedy that was selected as the Closing Night Film of the Directors' Fortnight at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. Jean-François Pouliot was born in Montreal in 1957. A graduate of Concordia University, he holds a B.A. in Communication Arts and a minor in Philosophy. He began working in film as an assistant cameraman and over the years acquired solid experience by working on well-known feature films, including "Once Upon a Time in America" by director Sergio Leone and "Hotel New Hampshire" by Tony Richardson. In 1982, he chose writing as a means of communication and became writer-designer at Cossette Communication-Marketing, Canada's largest advertising agency. Quickly promoted to artistic director and manager of francophone advertising for McDonald's restaurants, he has twice won the Grand Prize of the 'Mundial de la Publicité francophone'. In 1988, he became a director for Fabrique d’images, one of the country's largest production houses for audio-visual advertising. After twelve years as a director of audio-visual advertising, and nearly 500 commercials later, Jean-François is making his feature-film debut with "Seducing Doctor Lewis". Ken Scott is versatile actor, writer and screenwriter. He began his career as a comedian and writer with the comedy group, Les Bizarroïdes. He appeared at the most prestigious festivals. From Frankfurt to Berlin, Cologne to Stuttgart, Alma to Drummondville, his comedy performances have been seen on stage everywhere. His career has been marked by numerous prizes and special mentions: "Discovery of the Year" with Les Bizarroïdes at the Just For Laughs Festival in 1994; ADISQ nomination for comedy show of the year; Les Bizarroïdes in 1995; and winner of the Frankfurt Slapstick Festival with Les Bizarroïdes in 1996. Ken Scott now enjoys a choice spot within the new generation of comedians. "Seducing Doctor Lewis" is Ken Scott's second feature-length script. Raymond Bouchard [Germain Lesage] is widely known to the Canadian public, and has an impressive track record as a television actor. He has also starred in ten feature films. David Boutin [Doctor Christopher Lewis] graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada in 1996. That year he received his first role in "La Comtesse de Bâton Rouge" by André Forcier, in which he played Roy Tranquille. The same year, he got parts in two short films. The film "Hochelaga" by Michel Jettésaw his talent rewarded when he received the 'Jutra Award' for best supporting actor. He is in big demand as a stage actor both in Canada and abroad. Pierre Collin [Yvon Brunet] has had a brilliant acting career in theatre, film and television. He has also directed various plays in Montreal. He he has acted on stage in more than thirty productions. Lucie Laurier [Ève Beauchemin] was nominated for best supporting actress at the 1987 Genie Awards for her interpretation of Sarah in Léa Pool's film, "Anne Trister". Three years later, "Love-moi", in which she acted under director Marcel Simard, won the Special Jury Prize at the Namur Film Festival. In 1997 she was named "Discovery of the Year" by the Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois. Laurier has sung on a number of albums, appeared in music videos and used her acrobatic skills appearing with Cirque du Soleil.
Sainte Marie-La-Mauderne
Somewhere in the middle of the ocean there exists a pile of rocks.
Reaching it is quite simple. Go to the end of the earth, then turn right, and a little further on, you'll come across an old buoy with a sign that reads: Sainte-Marie-La-Mauderne.
If you ever make it there and take time from your busy schedule to stop for a moment, you will surely come across my friends Germain, Yvon and all the 117 other villagers, in front of the general store or on the docks - all slightly motley and fairly unrefined, but let me warn you, they may just make you feel like staying forever.
Naive and poor, they're unfamiliar with the feverish pace of our cities - poor things - but their quest for dignity often deploys more strength and lust for life than you and I shall ever know.
Oh! I nearly forgot. This film, set in the middle of nowhere and dealing with isolation, disgrace and human dignity, is also a bit naive: it operates on the belief that comedy isn't necessarily an inferior form of filmmaking.
Jean-François Pouliot, Director. The Story

"A genuine feel-good movie. Nothing memorable, nothing brilliant, but guaranteed to put you in a good mood." ... Eleanor Ringel Gillespie ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

In the little harbour village of St-Marie-La Mauderne, the vanishing fish stocks have plummeted a once thriving community into decline. No longer able to use their traditional skills, the fishermen have been forced to either leave the island or stay and rely on government welfare. When a small company considers building a factory on the island, the inhabitants see an opportunity for the village to be restored to greatness. But there's a catch. The factory cannot be built without (1) a resident doctor and (2) a population of 220. Seeking to attract a doctor, Germain organizes a work group. They send a letter to every doctor in Canada. Alas no one wants to come. Then through a stroke of well timed luck news comes that a doctor is on his way, but only for a month. Germain spearheads the transformation of the village. It’s the beginning of the seduction. From the women’s dress code to the food, even the patient’s illnesses, everything is done with the soul purpose of pleasing Doctor Christopher Lewis. While sometimes ruthless and often clumsy, even the most disillusioned villagers rally to the cause. The entire village works harmoniously and with great dedication towards trying to convince the doctor that St-Marie-La-Mauderne is the ideal place to live. Will the seduction work. It just isn't cricket. Even if Ste Marie-la- Mauderne does have a cricket team. Of sorts! The Verdict "Of course, there's a lot of staged for laughs moments and quite a few telegraphed comedic punches but never the less there's a bountiful supply of charm, wit, warmth and wacky characters in "Seducing Doctor Lewis". Enough to seduce most audiences. A light-hearted, fun experience in which the comedy is joyous, simple and never offends. Cinematic comfort food that feels good. Recommended Viewing." The Cast

Raymond Bouchard Dominic Michon-Dagenais David Boutin Guy-Daniel Tremblay Nadia Drouin Rita Lafontaine Roc LaFortune Réal Bossé Guy Vaillancourt Lucie Laurier Pierre Collin Ken Scott Jean-Pierre Gonthier Benoît Brière Marc Legault Caroline Girard Betty Jones Denis Houle Claude Gasse Bruno Blanchet Nadia Roswell Alexandrine Agostini Gilles Pelletier Frédéric Desager

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Germain Lesage Jeune Germain Dr Christopher Lewis Rolland Lesage Simone Lesage Helene Lesage Charles Campeau Denis Lacoste Claude Larivée Eve Beauchemin Yvon Brunet Richard Auger Réal Fournier Henri Giroux Marcel Sigouin Lucie Giroux Marlène Giroux Barman Serveuse du restaurant Steve Laurin Valérie Fournier Francine Fournier Alphonse Pinsonneault Dr Paul Gosselin

The Crew Directed by Jean-François Pouliot Written by Ken Scott Produced by Roger Frappier & Luc Vandal Original Music by Jean-Marie Benoît Cinematography by Allen Smith Film Editing by Dominique Fortin Casting by Lucie Robitaille Production Design by Daniel Hamelin & Normand Sarazin Costume Design by Louise Gagne Makeup Department Sandro Di Gioacchino Run Time 110 minutes Rated MA15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Rialto Entertainment - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - Impact Internet Services & The Movie Pages - All Rights Reserved