REVIEW; RICK’S CANOE, by Jennifer Lowe, Santa Fe Reporter, 2005. (Probably the BEST lead line of any review we’ve ever got!)
“We only wish there were more column inches to cover one of the quirkiest, most refreshing homegrown film events of an otherwise dreary late summer. Rick's Canoe came together in a matter of days thanks to heroic efforts on the part of local filmmakers and actors Rick Schmidt, Stephen "Jules" Rubin, Jonathan Grossman, Jonathan Skurnik, John Reed, and Barry Norman, with special appearance by Val DeVargas (The Magnificent Seven). Rick (Norman) is your average Santa Fe guy: He's 48, unemployed, has no girlfriend and his camper's just been stolen, along with everything in it. Can he and his best friend Jules (Rubin) find meaning – and possibly love – in a men's group led by Santa Flaky therapist Dierdre (Dierdre Parness)?
(Page 21 excerpted from my book, THE FILMS OF RICK SCHMIDT 1975-2015)
This was one of three features I did in Santa Fe, New Mexico, including MIRAGE, and WHITE STORK IS COMING ‘ And if you’re counting the spin-off REAL LIFE doc culled from real-life stories in ’STORK’/#3, our final feature (so far…), then Stephen “Jules” Rubin and I co-produced FOUR features!
In 'CANOE,' Val DeVargas played the father of lead actor and co-writer/co- director Barry Norman, challenging Barry to explain himself and his recent failures. In general, Val’s character was as unsympathetic as a father can be. For those of us who have any issues with the father-son interaction, this is a “ground zero” performance by both these actors––pretty brutal. but exceedingly GREAT scene. Hold on to your self-esteem!
We also got fortunate to have a fascinating bunch of guys together for our "MEN'S GROUP" scene led by actor Diedre Parness. So thanks again Barry Norman, Jules Rubin, Roberto Codato, Chad Forrest, Phillip Lee, Michael Schwab for sharing personal stories about love relationships and playing along. Also appreciate Jonathan Skurnik, Barry Norman, and John Reed for jumping in, to share their real-life stories for the camera and work as crew/cameramen/editors, actors, etc. We certainly lucked out in this production, first and foremost by having a film-legend Valentin (Val) DeVargas in our cast.
Val was known for TOUCH OF EVIL (he smashes Charlton Heston's head into the juke box in that Orson Welles movie!). He also had roles in THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, HATARI with John Wayne, also TO LIVE AND DIE IN LA, along with many other roles in TV and films. Sadly, this was his last role before he died unexpectedly, and we personally lost a dear friend.
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CREDITS
A FILM BY Jonathan Grossman, Barry Norman, John Reed, Stephen “Jules” Rubin, Jonathan Skurnik, & Rick Schmidt). Produced by Rick Schmidt & Stephen “Jules” Rubin.
MUSIC. We had a bunch of heavy hitters: “Afraid to Die”, by TUCSON SIMPSON (ggpiii@yahoo.com). “Little Black Egg”, by BLOOD DRAINED COWS (blooddrainedcows.com). “Eclipse” and “My Tantric Gatito”, by GLASS (rpursuit.com). Instrumental for walk to camper, by BILLY COTE AND MARY LORSON with Saint Low. “Lonely Days”, performed by Barry Norman, written by BEE GEES, ©1971 Warner/Chappell Music. Ltd. “Right Through You”, by BULLET THEORY, Thirty Second Publishing.“I’ll Never Love You Again”, by DAVID BROOKINGS, from the album “Chorus Verses the Bridge."
WATCH FULL ‘RICK’S CANOE’ here!
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