The Rowdyman (1972) User Reviews

Raw but Engaging

[mikefor-06568 · 8/10 · 30 December 2015]

Lead actor Gordon Pinsent recently said, that this was his favorite role. I can see why. It has extremely rich character development as he fleshes out the Rowdyman persona.

The movie starts out with a ridiculous slow pace. One is tempted to stop watching-or at least, I was...and that would have been my loss. I encourage all viewers to watch to the end. Repeated viewings will familiarize you with the films rich textures.

The staging, blocking flaws are numerous and I thought the cinematography could have been more steady, but these are minor complaints. Actor, Frank Coverse almost steals the scenes- with his flamboyant Robert Redford allure.

I would like to see the film negative restored to full impact-as we now have the technology readily available. This film in of itself is a national treasure in Canadian filmmaking and like Don Shebib's "Going Down The Road" it should be preserved. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a DVD bonus commentary by both Gordon Pinsent and Frank Converse, while they are still alive in a digital tribute and restoration project?

If you have a chance to view Rowdyman-I highly recommend it.

Absolutely no qualms for being a free spirit

[GOWBTW-5STARreviewer · 8/10 · 30 December 2022]

In Canada, there are some things that have gone unnoticed. This film is unique in its own way. You have a man who is a bit of an underachiever, and a constant troublemaker. He works at a papermill, he has a friend who is with him from the time being. And is getting tired of his shenanigans.

Only a few friends to rely on, but he always gets into trouble. When the people he is close to dies, he becomes very distant and resentful. His friend gets married and tries to start a new life without him. Tragedy strikes when he is killed in a workplace accident. He really needs to get his priorities in place.

It is not bad to be a free-spirited person, but there's a time to be a mature person who takes responsibility for his/her actions.

A very good film.

2 out of 5 stars.

Pincent Gets Rowdy.

[anaconda-40658 · 8/10 · 16 June 2015]

The Rowdyman (1972): Dir: Peter Carter / Cast: Gordon Pinsent, Frank Converse, Will Geer, Linda Goranson, Stuart Gillard: Often funny comedy set in Newfoundland about a personality so reckless that it refuses to grow up. It stars Gordon Pinsent as Will Cole who never matured and is always on the wrong side of the law. In fact, the film opens with an amusing scene where he is being pursued on foot by the local Sheriff and he sees it more as a game of tag than unlawful foul play. He lives with his mother and boozes with his friends by night but one young female still holds out for him even when the Sheriff is dragging him off to the station. Very intriguing despite its drab location shots it is detailed in structure but unsatisfactory in its conclusion especially when it seems that Will has learned nothing. Despite its hilarity there is something sad about the life presented here and director Peter Carter does a fine job exploring it. Hilarious performance by Pinsent who holds the film together with bursts of energy. Frank Converse plays his newly wedded best friend who is growing distant of him. Will Geer plays an elderly whom presents Will with a box. Linda Goranson plays the one woman who saw potential but also the need to move on. Stuart Gillard plays Constable Bill who is involved in comic moments chasing Pinsent about. Well made film about damaged adolescence. Score: 8 / 10

Intelligent script, original story, outstanding acting

[rickdalley · 10/10 · 13 June 2001]

Gordon Pinsent, one of Canada's best actors ever, portrays a womanizing drunk who refuses to grow. Is he a hero refusing to adjust to the norms of society (even the very liberal society of a small Canadian town) or a man arrested in development. Either way, his antics are hysterical, and the movie leaves the conclusions to the viewer. If you love original, daring story telling, show casing unknown but great talent (even the songs are original and GREAT), then you should check this out.

OK even if you just want a good laugh you should check this out.

Simply beautiful.

[stella-4 · 9/10 · 2 February 1999]

I found everything about this film to be beautiful. Beautiful writing, beautiful direction, beautiful characters, beautiful scenery. I had heard a great deal about it, and the only way I could see it was to buy it. I'm so glad I did!

Pinsent delivers

[brokenantler · 9/10 · 4 April 2004]

The Rowdyman is a poignant biography of protagonist Will Cole, a ragged ne'er-do-well who's best intentions go unnoticed by those most important to him. Set in 1970's Newfoundland, Cole's world starts to cave in on him after he becomes inadvertently responsible for the death of his best friend Andrew (Frank Converse). Desperate to retain his wayward lifestyle, Cole has some hard choices to make. Stellar performance by Frank Converse and Will Geer only add to Pinsent's emotional performance. Great soundtrack. Bravo, Gordon!

Great Movie

[suresales · 10/10 · 10 July 2005]

It was a great movie that is worth watching many times. It has been many years since I have saw this movie. It still stick out as one of my favourites. If you take the time you will be able to see beyond the screen and see what many actually go though in life. Many are searching for reality and what really counts. Gordon Pinsent play a remarkable role as he always does. His characters always stand out as having something deep that is very important. I have been searching for a copy of this movie for years if you can help it would be very much appreciated. If you have a copy for sale would gladly pay a premium. Please e-mail me if you have a copy for sale even if its taped. Its a shame it is not easily available for this generation would benefit by seeing it.

Well remembered after almost fifty years

[DLoGoToP83 · 10/10 · 12 September 2022]

I fondly remember seeing this film on the CBC in the early '70s. It is just as funny and touching as I remember. It should be more widely seen today. If it is possible for a foreign made film to be included on the National Film Registry that Congress created The Rowdyman should definitely be included. The Rowdyman is a hallmark and masterpiece not only of Canadian cinema but the cinema of any nation. Gordon Pinsent is an extraordinarily talented actor and writer. If the area where this film was shot looks anything like it did in the early 1970s I would love to vacation there. This film is a high point in the career of all involved.

Hillarious Film

[uncledarrenpsn · 10/10 · 11 March 2019]

Saw it a few times on the CBC a long time ago. I want to get a copy of it on DVD or on the Bluray but theres none to be had anywhere!

A Gem

[casanera2002 · 10/10 · 8 August 2017]

I remember the night I saw The Rowdyman clearly, I was at the rink playing hockey with my friends and my older sister came and got me because we had to go see some stupid movie from Newfoundland(my dad was from Corner Brook). So I begrudgingly went to the theater with my family, and The Rowdyman isn't really a I think my life changed that night, I'm glad my parents dragged me out. I had never seen anything like it (at twelve years old). To me this was a very real reflection on how screwed up people can be, I left the theater a smile on my face and a few good lines memorized. I would highly recommend this down to earth movie.

The downside of rowdy

[yrussell · 10/10 · 25 September 2020]

The "rowdyman" character in this film is Will Cole, a man in his mid-30s who never grew up. While his peers are starting families and becoming responsible members of society, Will takes a perverse pride in never changing, keeping on being that overgrown teenager who has only minimal responsibilities in life. Often seen acting crazy at parties, getting into scrapes with the police, and drinking far too much, Will is a well known character in a small Newfoundland town. He idolizes his close friend Stan, an elderly man, now disabled and frail, who lived life in the same reckless way as Will is living. Eventually, Will's irresponsibility causes tragedy (the death of his childhood friend Andrew), and then everything goes downhill for him. Yet, at the end of the film, Will is seen hopping merrily along, seemingly content with his life. I remember feeling, at the end, that I wish there were a sequel, so that I can see what eventually happens to Will. Then, I realized that I don't need a sequel. We've already seen Will's future in his elderly friend Stan. In their last conversations before Stan's death, Stan laments his own life, and especially that he didn't marry the woman who loved him. Then, as the movie proceeds, it becomes clear that Will's life in moving in the same direction as Stan's life did. This well-acted and well-written film is a masterful and authentic portrait of a wasted life in the making.