As someone who grew up with the VHS cassette of Canadian Bacon tucked away amongst the family’s collection, I can confidently say that this film holds a special place in my heart. It was one of those movies that would play on repeat whenever I had friends over for a sleepover, and we’d laugh ourselves silly at the absurdity of it all.
In an unexpected turn, the larger-than-life figure John Candy teamed up with unconventional documentary filmmaker Michael Moore in 1995 for the movie “Canadian Bacon.” This was Moore’s sole foray into fiction, offering a satirical take on national identity, U.S.-Canada relations, and the absurdity of war. It bears resemblance to the 1980’s classic “Airplane,” with its mix of silliness, foolishness, yet remarkable sharpness.
In contrast to Moore’s acclaimed documentary work like “Fahrenheit 9/11” and “Bowling for Columbine,” which employ journalistic methods, “Canadian Bacon” is a fictional story with characters. This movie boasts comedic stars such as Rhea Perlman, Rip Torn, Dan Aykroyd, Alan Alda, Wallace Shawn, and Jim Belushi, to name a few, with John Candy taking the lead role. Tragically, “Canadian Bacon” was one of Candy’s final projects; he passed away during the production of “Wagons East” in 1994.
John Candy Was the King of Kindness Before Canadian Bacon
Despite battling intense anxiety, John Candy excelled in comedic roles during the late ’80s, using a mix of vulnerability and charm. In the 1987 film “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” he portrayed Del Griffith, a character who initially irritates his unintentional travel companion Neal Page (Steve Martin). However, Candy’s knack for injecting childlike innocence into Del eventually endears him to Neal.
One of the most iconic Christmas films, Home Alone, features a travel-centric storyline more prominently. In a minor yet impactful role, Candy embodies kindness through his portrayal of Good Samaritan Gus Polinski, who aids Kate McCallister (Catherine O’Hara) in returning home to her son. It’s worth noting that Candy was also part of another John Hughes production, Uncle Buck, which continues to charm audiences with its endearing nature.
Prior to starring in “Canadian Bacon” in 1993, Candy embodied the coach of the first Jamaican bobsled team, Irv Blitzer, in “Cool Runnings”. Notably, just like many of Candy’s significant characters, Blitzer is genuinely warm-hearted and doesn’t strive to hide his imperfections. Interestingly, when he took on the role of Sheriff Bud Boomer in “Canadian Bacon”, Candy had already perfected his acting skills and was widely recognized for his humorous roles that resonated with audiences.
Michael Moore Ventures Into Fictional Filmmaking
As a film critic, I can confidently say that Michael Moore fearlessly tackles contentious sociopolitical matters, channeling an impassioned outrage towards social injustice. His selection of topics – healthcare, gun control, capitalism, terrorism – are as bold as they come. While some argue that Moore’s journalistic approach leans heavily on his liberal perspective of America, there’s no denying the compassionate and captivating nature of his documentaries. The stories he tells resonate deeply with audiences regardless of political affiliations.
1989 saw Michael Moore debut his first documentary titled “Rodger and Me“, exploring the economic decay in Flint, Michigan, after numerous General Motors factories shut down, resulting in massive job losses and ruined lives. Not too long afterwards, the film “Canadian Bacon” was released, mirroring some aspects of “Rodger and Me“, as it told the tale of Hacker Dynamics, a weapons production facility that ceased operations, causing widespread unemployment.
2014 saw Moore expressing to Indiwire that while Americans often show appreciation for both non-fiction books and TV, they seem reluctant towards non-fiction films. Perhaps he used the movie “Canadian Bacon” as a means to convey his insights in a more palatable format for viewers.
What’s Canadian Bacon All About, Eh?
In the story, when R.J Hacker (portrayed by G.D Spradlin) closes down his factory in Niagara Falls, he points fingers at the American President (Alan Alda), causing a drop in his popularity ratings. To improve them, the president’s advisor, Stu Smiley (Kevin Pollak), perceives a chance to manufacture a false war threat following an altercation between Bud Boomer and Canadian ice hockey fans. Consequently, American broadcasting networks begin disseminating anti-Canadian rhetoric, encouraging Boomer and his friends to litter on Canadian soil. The incident results in Honey (Rhea Perlman), Boomer’s wife, being left behind, which motivates him and his companions to stage a rescue mission for her.
A programmer named Hacker develops a destructive software called Hacker Hellstorm, capable of firing missiles driven by a strong sense of wrongdoing. The president identifies the transmissions, targeting Moscow, as originating from Canada. Fearing for his image, he learns that Hacker can provide him with a program to prevent the launch in exchange for an enormous sum of one trillion dollars. Smiley uncovers Hacker as the missile controller and unintentionally ends his life while attempting to seize the launch codes. Believing Hacker to be a cunning villain, the president commands Smiley’s apprehension.
Time winds down as Honey manages to break free from her captors. Locating the computer regulating the missiles, she destroys it with a machine gun at the last possible moment. Boomer and his search team eventually locate Honey, and their amusing misfortunes lead to a secure return to America.
The Messaging and Legacy of Canadian Bacon
Canadian Bacon humorously satirizes both Canadian and American cultures and stereotypes, painting Canadians as excessively polite and overly gentle, while Americans are portrayed as being uninformed about geography beyond their borders. The film also explores how strong patriotism can cause people to be aggressive or even prejudiced against perceived foreign threats. Politically, the movie illustrates governmental corruption and its ability to exploit public anxieties for personal advantage by using media manipulation.
Generally speaking, the movie “Canadian Bacon” was not successful in terms of box office returns, as it contained jokes that might be difficult for people outside of North America to fully understand. However, for certain fans, it has become their favorite source of laughter. Steve Drice’s review describes the film as not a masterpiece of art but rather an incredibly entertaining and amusing satire of American (and Canadian!) life from the 90s. Over time, “Canadian Bacon” has gained cult status, triggering a wave of nostalgia. In other words, Candy and Moore’s performances were outstanding, and the film has now become a cult classic.
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2024-11-25 08:02