The Lotus Eaters

Hello Peter Harcourt. You granted me an interview at Carleton University about my having finished an MA in Philosophy and wanting to study for an MA in Film Studies. But we both agreed even if you only want to watch movies you still keep writing anyway. "The Lotus Eaters" uses very long shots to make it seem like an old '60s movie with the comedic use by all characters staring slightly off camera. The "idyllic setting" of the BC island is rendered by each frame being a composed colour photograph, picture postcard perfect. As for "made for TV" director Paul Shapiro and writer Peggy Thompson spent the rest of their careers doing well with work for TV. As a person nothing but Canadian, I picked up on the school principal in "The Lotus Eaters" REFUSING TO ALLOW HIS FAMILY TO HAVE A TV. I'm so glad movies I identify with stopped me from going to England to study philosophy with a friend of FRLeavis. But I do identify too with the movies in your book "Six European Directors"!!

I happened to catch this flick on television a couple of years ago. My mother was away taking care of my dying aunt and my father was working double shifts at the hospital. I mention that because the setting was perfect to watch this particular movie. Its peaceful and while seemingly cliché the dialogue and action is pitch-perfect. Its the type of film you want to watch alone on a night when you're in no mood to tune into the news or the regular sit-coms and can't sleep. Its really a shame that it hasn't received wider distribution, especially in the US. I can probably count every good film that's come out of Canada on one hand, and this one goes on my thumb. I'm still looking for a copy.

This nostalgic film, set in the mid-1960's has a good story line involving a teenage daughter, a pre-teen daughter hooked on witchcraft, and a father, a principal at the school, who becomes involved with the young teacher. Set in a small town in Canada, the setting is beautiful and the story will keep your attention. The only weak area of this movie is its distribution, which is virtually unavailable on VHS, laserdisc or DVD. Too bad........this is one "must have" movie!

So I had heard about this movie and had been wanting to see it for quite some time however being that I could never find it as a rental.. I never had the opportunity. I have lived on the west coast nearly all my life and I find this movie extremely accurate. Especially the cinematography and the school scenes. I think the only small inaccuracy may be the accepting nature of the locals to Wiccan culture, being that back then we were all quite ignorant to it. I do not want to spoil the film but I will say it is quite predictable. However it is not cliché'. This movie also does not smack of typical Canadian movie quality as I find that most Canadian movies do. And what I mean by that is that you should never be able to detect that the movie is Canadian made, because it is low quality and cheesy dialog. This movie somehow avoids that distinction. This movie is reminiscent of the movie "Juno" with a touch of the TV show "The Beachcombers" in it's simplicity and honest charm.

A journey of discovery, this film follows the lives of one family living in a sleepy, island town in British Columbia. Languorous and dreamy, the inhabitants are satisfied to allow life to go on around them until a young, fresh-faced teacher, with new ideas arrives and brings with her life from the mainland. Slowly, their indolent state is awakened, the father (and principal of the local school) looks for excitement, the mother for stability, the oldest daughter for love, and the youngest for power. While not an incredible or ground-breaking piece of cinema, the movie is quietly enjoyable and good for a tired night when the wind is blowing. Unfortunately, I doubt anyone outside of Canada will find it easily accessible.