Breakfast with Scot - film review - SIFF 2008
by Karen Pecota
Parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Film director Laurie Lynd in Breakfast with Scot uses the eye of the camera to explore parenting in a non-traditional family. She focuses on a positive role model, taken from Sean Reycraft’s screenplay adaptation of the novel by Michael Downing, Breakfast with Scot.
Eleven-year-old Scot--with one t (Noah Bernett), is orphaned when his mother dies of a drug over dose. Her irresponsible boyfriend at the time asks his brother, Ed (Ben Sherkman), an uptown respectable lawyer, to care for the child for a couple of months until he can properly provide for him. Ed reluctantly agrees but avoids telling his partner, Sam (Tom Cavangh), until Scot arrives for breakfast one day.
Sam and Ed are more than willing to help out family in time of need within reason. This child is not only a complete stranger but Scot’s strange habits are annoying, especially to Sam. You see, Noah has learned to look on the bright side of life and does whatever conjures up the happy feelings. Scot is a lost boy! He dwells on his happy thoughts to ease the pain of the loss of his mother, as well as his loneliness. Scot knows he is in his own world but loves it! He is happy there! The memories of his mother are happy thoughts especially when he recalls how she loved to sing Christmas songs and play dress up all day long, all year long. Sam sees Scot as an intrusion on their neat and tidy life and Ed desires to try his hand at parental guidance.
Sam, a former professional hockey player turned sports newscaster has taken great strides to keep his homosexual lifestyle hidden mostly because of discrimination and ridicule connected with the world in sports. Ed buys into the logic but hopes one day this too will end. The moment Scot enters their lives, a journey of self-discovery takes all three of them by surprise especially when Scot puts away his jewelry for a pair of hockey skates. The performances by the trio eloquently personifies the value of transparency; enabling them to receive the love that will be their guide to maneuver through the mine fields of life’s difficult experiences. And, on the bright side of life they can delight in their happy thoughts when having breakfast with Scot.
