The Republic of Love (2003)

A story of love and enchantment set in the coldest of winters, it explores the issues, dilemmas and barriers facing the lucky and unlucky in love in the 21st Century, based on the novel of ... See full summary »

Director:

Deepa Mehta

Writers:

Carol Shields (novel), Deepa Mehta (screen story),

Stars:

Kate Lynch, Kate Kelton, Sunday Muse

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kate Lynch	...	Dr. French
Kate Kelton	...	Mother #1
Sunday Muse	...	Mother #2
Brooke D'Orsay	...	Mother #3
Bruce Greenwood	...	Tom Avery
Jackie Burroughs	...	Betty
Alec Stockwell	...	Mike
Emilia Fox	...	Fay
Lloyd Owen	...	Peter
Gary Farmer	...	Ted
Edward Fox	...	Richard
Kenneth Wickes	...	Mr. Duff
David Huband	...	Sammy
Rebecca Jenkins	...	Maeve
Connor Price	...	Gary Woloschuck

Storyline

A story of love and enchantment set in the coldest of winters, it explores the issues, dilemmas and barriers facing the lucky and unlucky in love in the 21st Century, based on the novel of the same name by Pullitzer Prize-winning author Carol Shields. Tom is a charismatic late-night radio talk show host, whose unconventional upbringing has made him a little too quick to fall in love and marry, resulting in three divorces before the age of 40. Fay is his total opposite; her romantic ideal has not yet been attained and is unlikely ever to be due to her impossibly high expectations as a result of living with the perfection that is her parents' rock solid marriage. This unlikely pairing proves the rule that in love, there are no rules and the couple meet and fall deeply in love at first sight. All is faultless, until Fay's parents' marriage breaks down suddenly, out of nowhere, after 40 years of wedded bliss. Fay and their relationship are thrown into turmoil. Will Tom be able to persuade...

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Plot Keywords:

love | marriage | radio talk show | love at first sight | divorce | 

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Taglines:

Geography is destiny

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

Canada UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 February 2004 (Canada)

Also Known As:

I dimokratia tou erota

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dan Films, Film Consortium, The, Triptych Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min 95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Emilia Fox (Fay) is the real life daughter of Edward Fox (Richard).

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Crazy Credits

For Carol Shields (1935-2003)

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Connections

Featured in Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Sleeping Beauty"
Performed by The Ceri Evans Sextet
Written by Ceri Evans
Courtesy of Big Life Music
Published by Big Life Music

User Reviews

Wonderful romantic movie with a bit of the mythic. I return to it regularly.

I love romantic movies with a bit of the comedic. This movie filled that need wonderfully and added mythic tone as well with both Mermaids and Indian music/themes. I have to admit the script's attempt to capture the complex history and intertwined lives was a bit difficult to follow on first blush. However, given the important theme of this interconnectedness (wow what a silly term), I can understand the desire, need, and effort.

There are few movies that i return to again and again, Still Breathing, Pleasantville, Beat of the Heart, etc. that give me that warm feeling inside that love is possible. Yeah I know its supposed to be complicated changing etc. and more than a bit self centered, e.g., Woody Allen's movies are rife with that. I would love to get the soundtrack of this movie as well, but fear that may be hard to do, suspect I will have to track down each piece myself online for my pod.

Returning to the movie -- This movie also hearkens back to 30s and 40s when it was OK to have a romantic script. Among the actor's I particularly enjoyed the performance of Fay (E. Fox) and look forward to seeing more of her work.