A small harbour community in the Canadian province of Newfoundland once had an active fishing economy but now most residents are on welfare. There is a possibility of opening a factory in the region but one of the conditions is that the community must have a resident physician. When a city doctor must spend a month in the community, the residents do all they can to "seduce" the doctor into staying even if that means lying through their teeth.
This film is a remake from a Quebec French-language comedy, "Seducing Dr. Lewis" in 2003. Having seen the first film, the surprise element was missing for me for some parts of the story but this current version is as warm and charming as the original. The story is very far-fetched especially the ending but within its own content, it strangely comes off as believable.
There was a missed opportunity for more exposure of one character: an attractive, lone-wolf postmistress who is better off than those around her due to her government salary and benefits. In one scene, her position of relative privilege causes her to be unintentionally indifferent to the plight of those around her. Had this element been expanded, it would have been very relevant in our current times. Instead, the character, whose appearances are rare, was used by other residents as a "pretty girly-girl" to be one of the ways to seduce the doctor.
Despite this misgiving, this film, like the original version, has many enjoyable moments. The characters are quirky but likeable and there is never an attitude of condescension toward them. It's also pleasant but rare to see stories of rural people doing their best to live well within their means. And the landscapes of coastal Newfoundland are truly breathtaking. - dbamateurcritic.
