Customer Reviews

Breakfast With Scot

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie completely charmed me. I bought it because I'm a sucker for anything Canada/hockey-related, but loved it because of the characters, especially Eric (Tom Cavanagh) and Scot (Noah Bernett).

Eric and Sam (Ben Shenkman) are a happy, low-key gay couple. Eric is an ex-Toronto Maple Leaf tough guy with a new career as a sportscaster, and generally keeps his orientation a secret except from close friends and family. Sam, a lawyer, would be more comfortable being out publicly, but humors Eric. Their lives are turned upside down when they are given temporary guardianship of "Sam's brother's dead ex-girlfriend's son," Scot.

11-year-old Scot is more flamboyant than either of the men, favoring pink sweater vests, charm bracelets, sparkly headbands and singing Christmas carols at the top of his lungs when he's upset.

Eric ends up being the one to (reluctantly) spend more time with Scot, by virtue of having the more flexible work schedule, and his patience is sorely tested. Scot tends to introduce Eric to strangers by saying "This is Eric. He's gay" and twirls in front of mirrors at the mall trying on clothes. Eric, predictably uncomfortable with both his own orientation being known and with Scot's obvious swishiness, still instinctively stands up for Scot.

Tom Cavanagh as Eric is both very funny and sweet, his exasperation with Scot obvious but his affection for the kid growing despite himself. Eric has a few missteps along the way as he tries a little too successfully to mold Scot into something "less gay", but eventually comes around to the viewpoint that Scot--and he himself--should just be true to themselves.

It's nice to see a gay couple portrayed as just...normal. Not dumb stereotypes (Will & Grace) or tragically tormented (Brokeback Mountain) or borderline softcore porn (Queer As Folk), but just a functional family unit going about their lives.

And huge props to the National Hockey League and Toronto Maple Leafs to allow their names and logos to be used in a gay-themed movie. Somehow I doubt we'll be seeing the Yankees or Packers do anything similar any time soon.

I fell in love with this movie long before the first viewing ended. The story is a bit formulaic at times, so events are predictable, but the characters are so well portrayed, and situations so unique, that it feels fresh.

Eric and Sam are a happy, childless, gay couple. Eric was once a professional hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs (this is the first gay-themed film where a professional sports team allowed the use of their logo). After a serious injury, he retired as a player, settled in with Sam, and got a job as a sportscaster on TV. Eric keeps his relationship and orientation a secret, except from family and friends, and Sam humors him. One day, they find out that Sam's brother Billy gained custody of 11-year-old Scot when the Scot's mother died of an overdose. Billy had dated the mother (Julia) previously, and Julia had never updated her will. Since Billy is nowhere to be found (he's horribly irresponsible), Child Services places Scot with Sam and Eric for a short while. To complicate matters, Scot turns out to be flamboyant and effeminate. While Eric tries to keep his sexuality a secret, Scot draws attention to it, especially since he introduces Eric to people as "This is Eric. He's watching over me. He's gay." Keep in mind that Eric is not only a former hockey player, but a former, good, professional hockey player who was a great fighter too.

Tom Cavanagh plays Eric wonderfully well. He's interesting and fun to watch, he gives Eric a great personality, has good comedic timing, and shows his chops with the dramatic scenes. It's a joy to watch Eric gradually go from ambivalence to fatherhood through the course of the film. Noah Bernett is great as Scot (with only one "T", since it stops there). Scot exhibits many stereotypical gay characteristics (to an extreme), his actual sexuality is wisely never explored (making the character even more interesting), he's flamboyant, honest, talkative, exuberant, inquisitive... a smorgasbord of characteristics. And Noah Bernett manages to tie it all together and make Scot seem real.

The movie has a nice pace to it. There are ample comic moments with good dramatic moments mingled throughout. The characters are incredibly charismatic, and the overall tone of the movie is very enjoyable. Direction could have been a tad tighter though as some moments didn't play out to their fully potential, but was still good. Though Scot is the most visible character in the movie, the real story is in Eric. Here we have someone who simply wasn't comfortable with having the "gay" label attached to him. As he learned to accept Scot, he learned to accept himself. In a sense, it's a coming-out story, but executed so sublimely as to not feel that way. The movie doesn't have a "political" feel to it, and doesn't even really come off as a "gay" movie. It's just feel-good fun movie. The kind where you can start it at any point, sit back, and enjoy.

This is one the most feel food, well presented films of the year. Children comes in all types and sizes and can change everything for the adults in their life. This is a film you will remember long after enjoying it!

Enjoyed this film's original plot, but had a few issues. I understand that the one guy had a problem with public displays of affection, but there were few private displays of affection, almost like they were afraid to show two men affectionate towards each other. Tom Cavanagh is adorable and could be sexy, but not in this film. Also, as a gay parent of a gay son, I have some connection to the story and I felt that some of the action was a bit forced and not realistic, but put there to move the plot along. Overall, I enjoyed it; I just felt that it could have been better.

This film celebrated a very unique child who drew stares and raised questions simply by being himself. In the end, he's a character that richly affected the lives around him, and his differences were no longer strange or off-putting but endearing.

Finally a movie which shows a gaylife in a normal way, without any cliches, free of exaggeration. It is one of the movies that leaves you in a better mood. In the film there are moments to laugh, there a things to ponder about and scenes to share a tear.
I will definitely watch it again.

"breakfast with Scot" is an outrageously funny feature. While his gay (but very discreet) parents try to live the average life, Scot is as flamboyant and outspoken as he can be. From his dress and mannerisms, to his declarations that "my parents are gay", Scot challenges the world to stand up and take notice of him. The film is humorious, while also trying to get a message across. I highly recommend it.

Such a fun, heart-warming film about acceptance of not only others, but also yourself. Love this movie, hope you do too!

Didn't know what to expect at first. I enjoy light hearted movies, and this one tops my list at the moment. There are quite a few unexpected moments, both tender and funny. The editing is great, the storyline flows well, there's no choppiness - nothing out of place. The gay couple was devoid of stereo-typing, which was refreshing. They were were portrayed as an ordinary, every day life couple, who just happen to be gay. No big deal, just a normal couple. "Scot" gave an incredible performance, as did his unexpected temporary guardians. A sequel in a few years time would be a great idea, as a continuation of the story. I've recommended this movie to many friends, all of whom enjoyed it. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

A charming, well-crafted story what happens when a very closeted gay couple is given temporary custody of a very flamboyant and effeminate 12 year old. The experience causes one of the partners to come to grips with his own repressed feelings about being gay. Really a very positive, happy movie. It is the kind of movie that you want to watch over and over again.