Shoemaker

The Mr Happy Face shoe repair shop becomes an unexpected hotbed of romantic intrigue in this gentle, though ultimately unsatisfying Canadian independent. Hughson is the shy unprepossessing cobbler who strikes up a hesitant relationship with travel agent Alberta Watson (of Spanking the Monkey fame), despite the alternating concern and scorn he meets from his embittered boss. While Watson makes believable her character's need for a sincere and uncalculating partner, Hughson's contribution overplays the ungainliness and naivety of a role that never really lifts off the printed page.