Written by: Carroll Jenkins on August 18th, 2010
Theatrical Release Date: Canada, 1973
Director: George Kaczender
Writers: Douglas Bowie, George Kaczender
Cast: David Selby, Maud Adams, Gay Rowan, William Osler, Diane Dewey, Michael Kirby
DVD released: July 27th, 2010
Approximate running time: 99 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: R
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Scorpion Releasing
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.95
Synopsis: A red 240 Z spots a yellow ’66 / ’67 MG, and it is love at first sight. Problems ensue, such as the MG is nowhere to be found and the Z is already sharing a double garage with a gray Volkswagen Beetle who threatens to drive off if they don’t get hitched. Original title: U-Turn.
Actually, the film is about people, and a romantic drama at that. It’s also a mystery, as David Selby ignores his live-in girlfriend Gay Rowan and obsesses instead for the mystery woman (Maud Adams) whom he never met. To locate the girl of his dreams, he haunts the single-car ferry where he last saw her, and finally takes it to a quaint island where no one will give him a straight answer (a little like The Wicker Man). As he searches, we meet the eccentric to the point of daffy characters who absolutely steal the show. Some have a minute or two of screen time, many have only 5 – 10 seconds, and some are recurring, but they are the greatest asset of the production. Toss in some quirky humor, and a good dose of nudity from Miss Gay, strong pacing, and we have a real anomaly – a romantic drama that dudes can actually enjoy; quite a bit, in fact.
Maud has a pivotal role, but a minor screen presence. She’s actually more McGuffin (object of desire) than character. Despite her stunning appearance, her acting is the least accomplished in the film (except maybe for the child actors). David Selby’s character is incredibly shallow and is actually an obsessive stalker, but he has enough charisma and charm to pull it off. The real highlight is Gay Rowan as the girlfriend who’s in love, but needs resolution and starts to get bitchy.
The DVD:
This movie was financed by Canadian government grants, and basically looks like a TV movie-of-the-week until the first nudity pops up. It is widescreen, but the colors have that muted TV look. The sound could be better, since some of the heavy Canadian accents are somewhat difficult to decipher, and there are no subtitles.
The strength of the film is the various situations we visit, and the characters and crazies we meet. There is an edge to the production, lots of great little moments, and some wry humor: David tells his secretary she must start wearing a bra (for good reason). Too bad, she listens to him!