Unsere feindlichen Nachbarn

If you would've told me that Canadian Bacon, a movie I remember basically because it was shown in a high school "media literacy" class would feel so...appropriate in 2025 (literally thirty years later), I wouldn't have believed you.

Fundamentally, this is a political satire about a post-Cold War United States desperate for a foreign enemy to a) scapegoat its domestic problems and b) justify maintaining its inflated military budget. But it's also about how quickly people can be convinced of an "enemy" out there by the power of the mass media (essentially, Manufacturing Consent by Noam Chomsky).

As enlightened as we (probably) thought we would be, our current age reflects the same lesson people have had to learn time and time again: technology and methods change, people don't. As we stare down a manufactured conflict between the United States and Canada in 2025, this movie feels so relevant.

It is also, though, very much reflective of its time. In what was and still is his only fictional film, Michael Moore approaches the subject matter with a sledge hammer and pulls no punches in criticizing the American political class. There's a very mid 90s sardonic nature to this movie that I found not only charming, but honestly kind of irresistible.

One thing I really liked about this film was the cast. John Candy, Alan Alda, Bill Nunn, and Rip Torn are really, really good here. Canadian Bacon is a vertiable feast of 90s comedic talent.

The writing and structure of the film could be a bit better; I found some of the analogies confusing and some running jokes really unfunny. I didn't understand Rhea Perlman's character at all, and I also kind of wish we got the Canadian perspective. The film, despite its subject matter, feels oddly small (centred around Niagara Falls, New York)

As is typical for Moore, he tends to paint Canada as almost utopic; a country apparently devoid of anything negative at all, but obsessed with its maple syrup and beer, and (even inaccurate at the time) lily white. (Just an FYI, Canada isn't and never has been a homogenous nation of blondes with blue eyes, don't know where this idea comes from). But, it is funny to me that even back then, Canada was a shorthand for "friendly country."

It's not the best movie about frosty relations between the U. S. and Canada (that is definitely South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, which I may also watch as I drown myself in laughs). But it is kind of fun.

As a person who has spent half his life on each side of the 49th parallel, I was delightfully impressed with this movie. There were countless cultural statements and innuendos that were absolutely hilarious. I can certainly see how someone unfamiliar with Canadian tradition and culture might not 'get' this movie. However, if you've lived in, visited, or known someone from Canada, this movie will provide non-stop laughs. Canada was certainly slapped in the face a number of times, but the balance was fair, with the Canadians scoring a number of blows against the Americans. Definitely worth the watch if you've got ties to Canada, otherwise it may seem silly and pointless.

I don't usually write reviews, but I feel compelled. Just read through the user comments on Canadian Bacon here and I'm chuckleing. Not only is this movie subtly hilarious, its nearly perfect as so many people are only contributing to the joke.

I recall sitting in a hostel in Switzerland on a trip across Europe, and listening to two American guys drinking and talking to two Austrailians. They were telling them about this hilarious movie called Canadian Bacon that did such a great job of making fun of how stupid and dumb Canadians are.

Which only makes the movie better, because it is so obviously, once you are in the know, a satire of America and particularly it's arrogant/ignorant (take your pick) stereotypes of Canada.

Truly, with every scathing review stating "This movie is a waste of time as it makes obvious stabs at Canada. That country should be insulted and the joke gets old." No, the joke only gets better with every American reviewer who doesn't get it, pushing it that much closer to a truly inspired masterpiece.

I assumed this would be terrible because I never heard of it but it had some funny moments. I only watched it because of Candy but he's not really the star. If I had known Alda was in it and Moore wrote it, I definitely wouldn't have watched it. Glad I did.

The premise of Canadian Bacon, that Canadians could rise up and rally to attack the United States, is as brilliant as it is hilarious. Unfortunately, it is not carried out as well as it could be. While this movie has its funny moments and a great cast, it gets bogged down at times because it appears the writers just couldn't think of enough topical humor to maintain this feature length film. It is, however, worth watching if nothing else to talk about at parties.