All Rise...

Appellate Judge James A. Stewart was a lighthouse keeper once. The light went out more than he did.

Editor's Note

Our review of The Lightkeepers (Blu-Ray), published November 24th, 2010, is also available.

The Charge

"Why would we want to bring a woman into this paradise?"

The Case

Seth Atkins (Richard Dreyfuss, Close Encounters of the Third Kind) is more or less alone, and he likes it that way. He's a confirmed bachelor, and he's the chief lighthouse keeper at Cape Cod. Trouble is, his assistant didn't like it that way—and quit. Enter John Brown (Tom Wisdom, Pirate Radio), who literally washes up on shore, explaining that he fell off a steamer. Atkins wonders about Brown's story, but Brown seems to take to the reclusive life of lighthouse keeping, even though Atkins is sure he's "a rich man's son." The two men become friends, and vow to swear off women.

Naturally, two attractive women appear and take up occupancy in the neighboring cottage. The only question in The Lightkeepers is: which man is going to break his vow first?

The likability that Dreyfuss gives a bitter, cranky character is surprising, but there's little else that you wouldn't expect from this movie. Still, Dreyfuss gives the movie a slight edge that makes it more entertaining than the typical romantic drama. The performances are good all around, especially from Blythe Danner (1776) as the woman who you just know will melt Dreyfuss' heart.

I had a screener copy, but the lighthouse and environs look great, and a scenic backdrop's a plus for a romantic story. The music's not bad, but it had too much of a contemporary feel for a movie set in 1912. I could find no extras, although the Amazon.com listing includes cast and crew interviews.

There's nothing that reinvents the wheel here, but it's well-done, and you might just like it if you check it out.

The Verdict

Not guilty.

Give us your feedback!

Did we give The Lightkeepers a fair trial? yes / no

What's "fair"? Whether positive or negative, our reviews should be unbiased, informative, and critique the material on its own merits.

Share This Review

Follow DVD Verdict

Other Reviews You Might Enjoy

• Cruel Intentions
• Losing Isaiah
• Sins Of The Father
• Wedding In White