THE HANDYMAN
Canada, 1980, 99 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Micheline Lanctot.
A Canadian film of 1980 which stands in contrast to so many others made at that time - merely extensions of Hollywood styles with imported American stars and directors. This film is specifically Canadian in its plot, characterization, cast and in the direction and writing by actress Micheline Lanctot. Micheline Lanctot, has appeared in a number of Canadian films especially in the internationally acclaimed, The Apprenticeship of Daddy Kravitz. She has taken an ordinary man from the country, who moves to Montreal - it shows his break-up of marriage, inability to relate as well as broken friendships and affairs and his having to cope with life. The film does not draw conclusions but in its attention to detail and strong portrait of the central character, the film creates an atmosphere and offers insight into ordinary characters in contemporary society.
1. The impact of the film as Canadian? values? Themes? Insight? A portrait of contemporary people? Insight into Canadian values? rhe script and direction by actress Michelle Lanctot and the qualities of her feminine perspective?
2. How did the film create its Canadian atmosphere and picture of Montreal? The background, contemporary work? Poverty and affluence? The musical score?
3. Armand and his mother's 1etter? Indicating the flavour of the film? Hu~tto and her walking out? Pe~ and t~ the girl? The atmosphere for the introduction to Armand? The ordinary Canadian man?
4. The title and its reference to Armand and his work? His capacity for writing was the influence of his mother? his marriage? Its fragile origins? His relationship with people – friendly, chatting up the waltress? His decision to move to the city? his hopes? A pleasant man? His style? a romatic? Armand as edgy, shy, a dreamer? His skill in his work, accepting a fair price? The pursuit of Manon and the gift? Georges and edge, angry? Fernand and his reappearanceg The influence of his mother? Therese - the work, his presence in the house, reserve, reliability? falling in love? Gestures? Bernard? Sleeping in and suicide? Attacked by Bernard, meeting him again and helping him? In love for example with the three queens at cards, the ending?
5. The women in his life: his mother, wife, the waitress, Manon, Therese? The other women? his capacity for relating, love, fear? the intimidating effect?
7. Therese and her loneliness, bored? The waiting? The phone, sharing, contact? her mother's visit? Bernard and the tantrum? The outing and the lift? Suicide - the final view?
8. Fernand and the brother, the con man, Georges and his admiring from afar? Armand's anger with him, the hanging? Bernard and wealth and work?
9. The portrait of a cross-section of men and women? Their ideas, values, feelings? Potential? A view of life ? with a melancholic light touch?
