Karyn Dwyer had bright red hair but still blended in well as a Canadian actress in film and television. I can’t say I’ve seen most of her work. Her Republic of Doyle episode work was from 2010 where Dwyer played a role that seemed much younger than her then 35 years on the planet.
Dwyer was best remembered for her lead role as Maggie in Better Than Chocolate, a film that I consider to be one of the best lesbian films ever, Canadian or otherwise. Her naked protest toward the end of the film was amazingly vulnerable.
I got invited to a party in 2016 in Toronto. Sometimes you are talking to someone at a party for awhile before you realize the significance of the person in front of you. When I found out her connection to the film, I went a bit overboard over how much I loved her in Better Than Chocolate.
Canadian film review: Better Than Chocolate
When I wrote the Better Than Chocolate film review in 2017, I pointed out that I met Dwyer at that party. "She was very nice and let me go on about how much I loved the film."
The party was a very nice gathering and meeting Dwyer was a highlight.
"Dwyer suffered from anxiety and depression and committed suicide on 25 September 2018 at the age of 43."
That is from the Wikipedia page on how Dwyer passed away last fall.
Here are a bunch of Canadian films that pass the Bechdel test
CanadianCrossing.com film reviews
CanadianCrossing.com film coverage
CanadianCrossing.com television coverage
I debated over writing this story. After all, every year has significant deaths of Canadian actors, actresses, and filmmakers. I did feel a special connection to the film, to her character, and later to the actress.
You hope that when you meet someone you admire or like that the meeting will go well. I can honestly say the meeting went exactly the way I wanted it to go once I found out who she was.
Alberta Watson remembered as a great Canadian actress
While Canadian actors and actresses pass on, I hadn’t had quite a reaction since the death of Alberta Watson in 2015. Watson and Dwyer gave a lot and had so much more to give. So I say thank you to Karyn Dwyer for what she gave on-screen and her kindness off-screen, RIP.
Editor's note: For full disclosure, director Anne Wheeler (Better Than Chocolate) is a friend of a friend, though I saw the film before I met my friend.
photo credit: NorthernStars.ca; Better Than Chocolate
video credit: YouTube/Nina Okens
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