The Favourite Game 2003

The Favourite Game 2003
1h 41min | Drama | 28 February 2003 (Canada)

Storyline:

At 28 years of age, poet Leo Breavman takes his memories of childhood and his female conquests as a starting point to create his work. In full identity crisis, he puts an end to his torrid liaison with Tamara in order to spend some time in New York. While writing in a coffee shop, Leo shares a glance with Shell, a graphic designer who divides her time between Montreal and New York. Not long after, the young woman leaves her husband and engages in a passionate affair with the poet.

User review:

I’ve always admired Leonard Cohen’s songs and lyrics. I did not know he also wrote novels and books of poetry until I saw this movie. His novel “The Favourite Game” is supposedly autobiographical. If so, my opinion of him has been lowered. The main character in this movie is a pretentious jerk, selfish and self-absorbed. He cares nothing about the feelings of others, and just does what he pleases. He feels justified in doing so, convincing himself that he is not hurting others as he lets people, women especially, in and out of his life. He’s responsible for a tragedy, and never seems to fully accept that fact.

The actor playing the main character does a good job of making you dislike him. I’ll give him credit for that. But who wants to see a movie filled with pompous musings by an unlikable character? Not me.

Director: Bernar Hébert
Writers: Leonard Cohen (novel), Peter Putka (screenplay)
Stars: JR Bourne, Michèle-Barbara Pelletier, Cary Lawrence
Country of origin: Canada
Language: English
Filming locations: Montréal, Québec, Canada