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I just saw Breakfast With Scot last night at the Seattle Intl. Film Festival. I was fully prepared not to like it at all, as most gay themed films of the last several years have been so disappointing.

Yes, it is a little predictable, in the sense that you ultimately know how a story like this is going to turn out. Novelty for the sake of novelty doesn't help stories either, and this is a solid well told story. The small turns of the story were not predictable though. I particularly liked that this Canadian production did not reach for the obvious over the top emotional climax an American production would have. For example, it resolves Tom Cavanaugh's work conflict with far less drama then I would expect from a gay themed film. The script deflates the situation in an interesting and realistic way, recognizing that the film is foremost about the relationship between Eric and Scot, and not about Eric's closeted work situation.

The acting is really really solid. The cast feels like an ensemble, not a group of actors vying for screen attention. It takes awhile to realize that Tom Cavanaugh, with his usual non-showy performance, is the adult lead. Noah Bernett, as Scot, hits it exactly right. A very tough character for an actor of any age to get right. Some criticize the script, saying that the character is way too flamboyant for a boy this age. But that is exactly the center of the book, and the film, for this character to be so unapologetically out there and flamboyant that he challenges gays even more than straights. He's not supposed to be a typical gay kid. (In fact, part of that challenge is that he (and we) do not even know for sure what his ultimate sexuality might be.) As it is, he is sort of a child genius of fun fashion and cosmetics. His character is supposed to make us uncomfortable, and challenging to our assumptions.

Cinematography and production design are first rate. I heard that the overall budget was well under 4 million, if so, then bravo to the production crew, it looks like more.

I haven't read the book so I only have to go on what I saw. The premise is great - fresh and funny. A masculine gay couple end up as guardians of their effeminate 11 year old nephew and try to make a man out of him. The story is less about changing the nephew and more about changing the gay couple, in particular the partner who is an ex-Toronto Maple Leafs hockey player. The movie was enjoyable, light hearted, and good natured but it lacked something -- it resembled an after-school special at times, especially towards the end. There are too many characters with bit parts that don't make enough of an impact in the film. There is a neighbourhood tough kid who inexplicably becomes a friend of the flamboyant nephew and co-workers who come in and out of the film but never really say anything meaningful. An awkward meeting with a school teacher results in her suggesting the boy watch TV to find other role models -- a very clumsy scene without cause or precedence. The writer and director needed to streamline the movie and identify scenes that needed to be pumped up to give the story some poignancy. I was never quite drawn in, brought to tears, laughed out loud or was worried that things might not work out. Its a sweet story but could have been better.

In Toronto, the Maple Leaf hockey player Eric McNally (Tom Cavanagh) breaks his shoulder in four pieces while training and is forced to end his career. Five years later, he is a sportscaster, working with his assistant Nula (Jeananne Goossen) that is the only person in the TV that knows that Eric is gay and lives with the lawyer Sam (Ben Shenkman).

When the drug addicted girlfriend Julie of Sam's brother Billy (Colin Cunningham) dies from an overdose, her son Scot (Noah Bernett) is sent to the social care. Sam contacts Billy that is in Brazil, and tells that Julie has assigned him with the custody of the boy and the insurance money. Billy is tempted by the money and promises to return to Toronto in the end of the year and Sam convinces Eric to lodge Scot at home.

Scot was raised by his mother and is a sissy. The lives of Eric and Sam turn upside down with the boy and Eric gives his best efforts to give a father's influence to Scot.

"Breakfast with Scot" is a funny and corny gay movie, with a predictable story. It is funny to see the gay Eric trying to educate Scot as a man since the boy is also gay. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Uma Família Bem Diferente" ("A Quite Different Family")

"Breakfast with Scot", the lighthearted Canadian comedy is a pleasant, Christmas movie. The only twist is the presence of the gay male couple, who show as much affection to each other as two neighbors. I know, the intention is not the offend the easily offended crowd, and to make it more mainstream. Whatever... Those who hate gay people will not bother, and the rest of us would expect little more guts, and maybe a sincere emotion or two, if it is not too much to ask. All that aside, it is a warm and fuzzy and charming movie,albeit quite predictable.The predictability is what you expect from this genre and the viewer gets over it. I did too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Best LGBT genre movie in the past few years..., Sep 21 2008 By Joe E. Mcparland "cojoeman" (Windsor, Canada) - See all my reviews

As a long time collector of contemporary LGBT genre movies, I rate Breakfast With Scott at the top of my list. I have practically worn out my DVD copy! This movie was screened as a special selection in the 2007 Windsor International Film Festival. The sold out house gave the movie a deserving five minute standing ovation at its conclusion. Aside from the wonderful message of tolerance, acceptance and adaptability, this gem of a movie will have you - as it had me - in tears of laughter and tears of sorrow. Laurie Lynd's direction of Tom Cavanaugh, Ben Shenkman and,of course,show-stealer - Noah Bernett, is nothing less than magical. I could not agree more with the Globe and Mail's DVD cover endorsement of the movie,"Absolutely Fabulous!"

Having discovered this film as a result of viewing and later purchasing "The Blossoming of Maximo Olivares", and "A Very Serious Person", both excellent LGBT themed films, I had high hopes for "Breakfast..", especially after the many glowing reviews on this and other websites. The story has great potential, about a gay male couple who become caretakers to one's brother's girlfriend's 11 year old son after she dies of a drug overdose. One of the men is a former hockey player who has no interest in becoming a parent, even temporarily. But it is his eventual relationship with the boy, well played by Noah Bernett, which becomes the film's central theme. Much of the happenings are predictable, especially the climactic sequence. I feel the main problem with the film is that the director, in trying to keep the film from being too heavy, relies on sitcom like comedy and some broad characters, who seem more like types, used to make points, rather than fleshed out human beings. It isn't boring, and it is rather pleasant, but it could have been so much better if it had more depth and a less loud soundtrack trying to emphasize the comedy. Watch "A Very Serious Person", and then see if you agree with my review more than before.

Great film. Good dialog - much better in English than french. I was really impressed with the opening shots of the movie in which the title Breakfast with Scot appears on the side boards of the hockey rink. Very inventive. Also the ending credits with the pictures on the fridge and matching names was very memorable too. I guess I would call it a chick flick for all types of chicks, male and female, gay and straight. Based on this movie, these Canadians are portrayed as bitchy, compassionate, unpredictable, charming and sensitive and hilariously funny people. Good ensemble cast. Tom Cavanaugh's performance was spot on. Noah Bennett was very expressive and showed real depth of acting range. Wonderful script also. Very refreshing take on parenting and what it means to be in a modern family. Relationships take work and this movie depicts the real life stress involved in keeping every member of a family content. Each character has to compromise. Great movie for the Holiday season. I wish more movies like this were made today.

There is a lot wrong with the whole premise but particularly the execution of this movie, although it shows some elements of a heart warming and original story. Unfortunately, the project ended up in the hands of an inadequate writer and/or director and a wooden cast.

The only redeeming factor in Breakfast with Scot is the wonderful performance by Noah Bernett, who plays the role of Scot. He shows a wide range of emotions and is exactly as over-the-top and camp as his character demands, without going over the top as an actor. Yes, even a camp boy can still be all boy at times.

I read a comment from someone who doubted that a boy this age would act this way. My advise: go to YouTube and look around. You will find kids Scot's age or even younger who act just like him and often even more camp. Welcome to the 21st century. Scot is the only believable character in this movie.

I wanted to like this movie. Tom Cavanaugh is a good actor and deserves better writing. From the get go I didn't believe these two guys were a couple. There was no chemistry between them. The pathetic exchanges of affection seemed designed for an after school special. If it's a move not for kids then why make a movie suitable for kids? Seems like shooting itself in the foot. The writer seemed to be trying too hard to be cute and the obvious reaching for jokes kept it from being engaging. I didn't believe one bit of it. It was so obviously fake that I had to clean house while it played out and I hate cleaning house. The character Billy is supposed to be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yet customers in his store speak perfect English. The whole thing just never rang true.

Several plot lines that didn't seem plausible.....like the sissy boy taking up hockey or foster dad, Eric, suddenly loving the kid after being immensely annoyed and bothered by him. But it's a comedy so I can accept a fair amount of non-ordinary reality. Favorite parts were when Scot insisted upon calling Eric "gay" in public settings. You knew how ultra embarrassing it was for straight laced, and still in the closet, Eric. Movie ended on a Hallmark note. Would have loved to have seen a movie where Tom Cavanaugh played another gay character, where his romantic relationship with another adult gay character was the central focus. Decent movie......worth watching once.

Yeesh. That's the first time I've ever sought to see the writer of a film. Because no matter how charming the acting, that script was a dog! It was like a first draft where embryos of ideas ended up in the final cut.

I hardly ever write film reviews and am only on here because it seems such a lost opportunity and I'd like to commend the cast: if any of the cast is reading this, you were terrific! The young star, Noah Bernett, was fantastic, Tom Cavanagh was a great foil, and even poor old Ben Shenkman gave it go when the script allowed (rarely).

Really, such a shame.

I was offered this movie viewing for free and didn't expect that much of it. I mean: sounded a bit too American (didn't quite get its Canadian origin until after the movie started) - for the emotionally challenged - but I've got to hand it to the producers behind this movie: it's actually quite great. The actors work together like hand in glove and the story behind the movie is actually rather well put together. I like the way the "gay" issue was handled: not as a pariah but as an alternative lifestyle... And I loved the kid actor. He is really not the usual hindrance for a good movie, as some kid actors are: he appears realistic, although a bit of a different kid, than I've usually seen. works well with the other actors.

I'm so adding this to my Feel Good Christmas Movie List.

Breakfast With Scot is a 2007 film from Canada, that stars Tom Cavanagh as Eric, Ben Shenkman as Sam and Noah Bernett as Scot. It is rare to find such an insightful work that deals with the stereotypes of gay culture. Eric is an ex hockey player and Sam is a lawyer, they are a very conservative couple. Scot recently orphaned after his mother dies from an overdose, is unexpectedly dropped into their lives. He is very flamboyant and the total opposite of his new caregivers. While very funny this gem is also heartwarming, believable and thought provoking. As the story unfolds the three realize that acceptance and love are the glue that binds a family and overcomes all obstacles. Excellent writing, cinematography and casting make this film a must see and earn it the perfect score of a 10. Bravo to Mr. Lynd and the talented cast!

Having seen the preview for this, I was intrigued and decided to give it a try. It turned out to be yet another example of why I prefer films made outside of the U.S. The writing was first-rate and hilarious, and the performances were uniformly brilliant. Tom Cavanaugh is one of the most watchable comedic talents anywhere, Ben Shenkman (who reminds me a lot of Harold Ramis) was equally superb, and young actors Noah Bernett (as Scot) and Dylan Everett (Ryan) really shined in their roles as well. There are plenty of laughs and poignant moments in equal measure, with the underlying theme of accepting and loving others for who they are. Hockey is a major focus in the film, but it can be enjoyed by those who aren't familiar with the game. Aside from a few instances of salty language (including a couple "f-bombs"), it's family-friendly and the issues involved are handled with tact and gentle humor. Highly recommended.

Most Canadian films make me cringe, and are identifiable almost immediately by the production. I haven't seen a lot of Canadian films but until the many hockey references occurred, I had no idea this film wasn't made in the US of A. The main child actor character definitely makes you feel uncomfortable initially, but as a whole the film wasn't THAT bad, although some scenes dragged on far to long, the carol near the end of the film comes to mind. I made it all the way through this film, I think anyone really could. If you're really hungover and can't get off the couch (sofa for you Yanks) and aren't sure where the remote is, ... AND this also happens to be on TV, things could be worse. (.. and on a somewhat unrelated note, to whoever wrote the trivia for this film, the characters name wasn't Ed, you twit.)

this being a movie made in my hometown( the dundas square certainly looks at its best now) i was very skeptical of a movie that will once again promote gay rights simply because its... "cool"(!?) to do so. frankly i was afraid for some hidden agendas of extreme nature + mature matter. besides any Canadian movie, especially action or comedies tend to be lame quickly forgettable. our home grown directors tend to pay more attention to artistic merits then to the actual subject/matter/plot...

well i was wrong; turns out that this comedy has quiet a lot of witty punch lines for ALL audiences. the situation is about family and not so much about the gay couple. the "contradicted" kid is at the center of the with the 2 main male leads as support.

the production is quiet great, the pace is quiet fast as well( almost no slow moments or fill-ins at all ). the acting is superb especially from the kids and Thomas Cavanagh. Ben Shenkman is more just of a stereotype character.

while i would still not recommend this movie to pre-teen kids, adolescents and teens would have nothing to "worry" about.as for any sexuality issues, there is only a quick, minimal(lips only) male kiss . other then that no intimacy at all that might offend some viewers.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this movie. It was a very well acted and directed film. That said, I thought the writing would be typical of an indy film and was not expecting much. I also remember critics saying at the time the film was released that the directors tried to hide the gay relationship too much. Now after seeing the movie I think I was just reading reviews from some bitter queens. The gay relationship is very much secondary to the main theme. The focus on the film is the child named Scot and his living life to the fullest regardless of how society sees gender roles. I liked that it was not the worn out theme where straight guy is uncomfortable with a kid or person not conforming to typical male gender roles, rather this was about a semi-closeted former pro hockey player that learned about his own internalized issues while learning to love this new child in his life who he becomes a dad to. It just goes to show whether gay or straight - we all have our issues to deal with. Again a very pleasant surprise and well worth watching.

They're still hard to find, aren't they? Well, you've found one.

When the adults are messed up, and the kid needs them to get their act together, and being gay/coming out isn't just about you... Um, it's almost like real life. Wow. The adults in this movie definitely make all the right mistakes.

Aesthetically, the film is great, but if you're wanting to find (more) safe ways to talk about queer family issues with your child, that's not your primary concern. And, actually, you can watch this one with a child of almost any age, and if you're kid is like my eight-year-old, there will be plenty of things to discuss.

Enjoy.