The Rowdyman is a comedy film with moralistic overtones, set in Newfoundland. It was written by and starred Gordon Pinsent, a native Newfoundlander. The film became a commercial hit and landed Pinsent a Canadian Film Award for Best Leading Actor. The film is about Will Cole (Pinsent), a man in his thirties who sees no reason to take life seriously, but his antics bring pain and tragic consequences to his friends and family.