For a man who whistles while he collects the piles of horse manure then sells it for fertilizer, Gene wilder enjoys a job that others would turn their noses away from. He is stopped by Irish matrons tending their garden, grabs a slab, sprinkles it generously around, and collects a coin. On occasion, he even gets lucky with the lonely and over heated customers he "serves". On one of these excursions, he encounters young American Margot Kidder who wants to make amends for accidentally causing him to tip over his cart and admits her fascination with his position. A unique friendship is formed, and the viewer gets an insight in on a man who is simply happy living simply. But when he finds that the horse drawn delivery horses have been replaced by trucks, he fears his livelihood that he loves will disappear with them.
This sleeper of a light comedy/drama might be a tough decision to give a chance, but films like this end up with cult followings and subjects for film students. Don't expect Quackster to be an earlier version of Forrest Gump or "Rain Man"; he's just unspoiled and free of soul stealing ambitions, and unaffected by the judgmental world around him which is probably why he is so well liked.
Sporting just a hint of an Irish accent, Wilder shows why he was one of those unique finds as cinema began to change in a changing world. Filmed on location in Dublin, this was set apart from the truly filthy films of the time that seemed straight out of some writer's drug overdose. The only other adult story I can think of to put in the same category with is "The Sterile Cuckoo" where Liza Minnelli was singularly as innocent and free of the trappings that tear people from who they really are underneath.
This sleeper of a light comedy/drama might be a tough decision to give a chance, but films like this end up with cult followings and subjects for film students. Don't expect Quackster to be an earlier version of Forrest Gump or "Rain Man"; he's just unspoiled and free of soul stealing ambitions, and unaffected by the judgmental world around him which is probably why he is so well liked.
Sporting just a hint of an Irish accent, Wilder shows why he was one of those unique finds as cinema began to change in a changing world. Filmed on location in Dublin, this was set apart from the truly filthy films of the time that seemed straight out of some writer's drug overdose. The only other adult story I can think of to put in the same category with is "The Sterile Cuckoo" where Liza Minnelli was singularly as innocent and free of the trappings that tear people from who they really are underneath.