Seducing Dr Lewis

This undemanding old-fashioned communal comedy derives much of its atmosphere from its setting, a fishing village on the far northern Atlantic seaboard of Québec. Cinematographer Allen Smith provides an elegant opening night-time pan over the roofs of the town’s peeling clapboards as they vibrate to the sexual moans of 50 hardworking mariner couples, but TV-veteran director Pouliot’s quietly enjoyable, deftly paced drama never gets more risqué than that. The story is a Ealing-esque contrivance about the unemployed villagers’ efforts to secure the services of their first doctor in 15 years – city slicker Lewis – in order to secure a new factory contract. Composer Jean-Marie Benoît adds a jaunty, shanty-esque orchestral score and the large cast – headed well by Raymond Bouchard’s conniving new mayor and David Boutin’s innocent dupe – offer nicely judged, light-comedic performances.