In 1912 Cape Cod, an irascible old lighthouse keeper and his young assistant have a parting of the ways; fortunately, another young man washes up on the beach the next day and is offered the position. The two disparate men have a smooth-and-scratchy relationship, eventually revealing old wounds from the past that have brought them to this point, such as why the old man is resolutely anti-female. Sporting a neatly-trimmed snow white beard, Richard Dreyfuss, who also served as an executive producer, is darkly-tanned like a life-sized Band-Aid; he doesn't have the New England accent down, nor does his manner or his general personality match up with the character he's portraying, but he gives this staunchly theatrical piece whatever life it has (it would be dead-on-arrival without him). Daniel Adams wrote and directed, as if he lived his entire life in front of the footlights. *1/2 from ****

Seth (Richard Dreyfuss) runs and lives in a lighthouse on Cape Cod. He is a self-declared "woman hater", having had a wife walk out on him long ago. One day, a man who says his name is John Brown (Tom Wisdom) washes up on shore. Its certain that Mr. Brown has been through an ordeal but he is mum about most of it. Since JB is somewhat "off women", too, the two gentlemen strike up a friendship and Seth invites John to bunk with him for a spell. In short order, two ladies come to stay at a cottage near the lighthouse. One is an artist named Ruth (Mamie Gummer) and the other is an older lady, Mrs. Bascom (Blythe Danner),who is Ruth's housekeeper. Wouldn't you know, Mrs. B is Seth's long lost wife while Ruth likes what she sees in John almost immediately. But, with secrets and tangles in abundance, will anyone merit a happily ever after? This is a gorgeous film, with a lovely setting on the Massachusetts shore. Its also a great look into the world of 100 years ago, when women were getting more freedom and gumption. All of the actors listed above and the other cast members, like Bruce Dern and Julie Harris, are quite fine, although Dreyfuss' Irish brogue comes and goes. Most importantly, I wanted to see this film for the director's current woes, for he has been sent to prison for falsifying expenses for his film production company. What a tragedy, for the man obviously has great talent. Hopefully, fifteen years from now, we all will be rewarded with another movie as beautiful as this one.

My wife and I really enjoyed this simple movie. No CGI, no swearing, drug use or gratuitous pandering. It's a fun look at the battle of the sexes and also the fencing among men when they get together. I loved the dialogue and the back and forth between the two men. For older audiences this would be a welcome entertainment. I could see how this movie would transfer easily onto the stage as well.