The Republic of Love

Older but totally buff Bruce Greenwood (as Tom Avery) has been married three times and considers himself unlucky in love. He discusses romance with listeners in his job as a late-night radio talk show host. Often seated below his billboard image on the subway, Mr. Greenwood attracts some weird one-night stands, especially women with foot fetishes. Assured by one of his adopted mothers there is "a lid for every pot," Greenwood finds his lid in beautiful Emilia Fox (as Fay). She works on mermaid exhibits for a museum. When problems surface in Ms. Fox' parents' marriage, we are left to wonder if the institution will survive. Enjoyed Greenwood and Fox as actors, but never cared whether or not their characters were able to maneuver modern marriage intrusions. The plight of parents Edward Fox (as Richard) and Martha Henry (as Audrey) was more interesting.

***** The Republic of Love (9/11/03) Deepa Mehta ~ Bruce Greenwood, Emilia Fox, Edward Fox, Martha Henry

The problem with 'Republic of Love' is that it is a film made because it has a good filmmaker, not a good script. There was totally inadequate attention to detail in the drawing of the lead characters, and the result is a sprawl that is tied together by a good visual sense, not a good narrative one. If you are making a political allegory, that can be fine, but if it is a love story, you are sunk. I kept thinking about all of those publicly funded organisations which had bank-rolled the film and, in spite of my leanings towards the public support of fine filmmakers, found myself thinking that people who were risking their own money would not have jumped with such a weak script (and barely adequate cast...)

Tom Avery (Bruce Greenwood) is a late night radio DJ in Toronto and has already three divorces. Fay McLeod (Emilia Fox) is writing a mermaid book and living in a loveless relationship.

Director Deepa Mehta is definitely trying to do something with the washed out color cinematography. She's obviously denoting the lack of love in the two leads' lives. It's heavy handed. Quite frankly, I rather have it black and white. Black and white can be beautiful in its sadness. Washed out cinematography makes the film look bad and tired. The cinematography is still weak after more color is added. The movie never really recovers from the early tired washed out look. I do like the pairing of Greenwood and Fox. They are both charismatic actors. The cactus is cute and that's a solid meet-cute non-meeting. This movie is full of interesting ideas but they don't add up to what it wants to be.

This is such a beautiful film about love in all its complications. Wasn't sure where it was heading at times, but glad I stayed the course. An interesting cast - especially Greenwood and Emilia Fox - with a good mix of known and unknown actors. Each character is richly different and strangely, weirdly odd. The complexity of relationships - ahh. The diverse relationships portrayed made me want to know more back story, however, what is presented is just enough. Everyone seemed just like folks you might know. I also like the cinematography - the camera felt right for whatever was present at the moment. And the music is sublime. This film makes me appreciate Canadian movies - can see why it was a Toronto Film Festival selection.

Words cannot describe the distance between the novel and the piece of work on the screen. Yes, I know, "novels suffer in transition to the screen." But they should not suffer this badly. Carol shields deserves better treatment and not from a "Bollywood" director who claims to be Canadian by paperwork.