Out At The Movies - NNY's GLBT Film Festival 2009

BREAKFAST WITH SCOT
Laurie Lynd, Canada, 2007, 35mm, (90 min)

Before an injury took him out of the game, Eric McNally (played by Ed star Tom Cavanagh) was a hockey player with a contract playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was known for his aggressiveness, skill, and unfortunately, his less-than-friendly attitude towards fans. Most of his abrasiveness was a ploy to prevent the sports world from discovering the secret that Eric is gay. Now off the ice, he makes a living as a TV sports commentator, but that has done little to change his reputation.

To the detriment of his long-term relationship with his former contract lawyer, Sam, hiding his true self is still priority #1. Eric's facade is threatened when a family acquaintance's death dumps the closeted couple with a third wheel. Meet Scot. He's eleven, a budding queen and he's fabulous! Scot has eccentric tastes - makeup, long hair, his mother's fancy charm bracelet, a "poodle belt," and Christmas carols in October.

The new living arrangement is meant to be temporary, just long enough for Sam to track down his distant brother who may or may not be Scot's biological father. Eric feels little attachment to the boy and does his best to keep his distance. Focus is on how to balance a fatherly relationship with the young diva while still maintaining his "straight" public image. Scot, takes his new situation very seriously and even takes up hockey to try to win Eric's approval.

Based on the best-selling novel by Michael Downing, Breakfast with Scot attracted media attention and controversy even before the cameras started rolling. In an unprecedented move, the NHL and the Toronto Maple Leafs officially gave the film permission to use their logos, uniforms, and archival clips marking the first time a professional sports league did so for a gay themed movie.