Canadian Bacon

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.

I remember hearing poor reviews from Siskel and Ebert for this film when it came out. And I see what they meant, as I watch it today. It's not as snappy as it could have been, but there are some extremely funny lines. And it's especially timely to see the news anchors and "journalists" jumping on the hate-Canada bandwagon, because they still do that today, and seeing how ridiculous the arguments are against Canada makes one think about the dubious arguments made against other countries by our "journalists."

Kevin Pollack is really funny, as is John Candy. Rhea Pearlman is overly "quirky," in my view, but otherwise, I think it really rings true today. It's worth a rental!

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.

The President of America's ratings have dropped. What he really needs to do is get a war to get his popularity up. However the usual bad guys aren't interested so he decides to start a talking war against Canada. Using the media to stir up anti-Canadian feeling his popularity rises but a group of American citizens take it too far and prepare for invasion.

Michael Moore is a rare talent and many of his programmes and films could be used as a model for anyone wanted to do satire and be both political and funny at the same time. When he's on form he puts our own Mark Thomas into the shade. However with this film he can't take a really good idea and make it last for 90 minutes. Most scenes with the President and his media war with Canada is really sharp and really funny – just like Moore at his best.

However it's the rest of the film outside of this one point that fails. It is just a rambling comedy that doesn't have anything to say or do. Moore is a little lost and it lacks bite and, sadly, laughs. The cast try hard and Candy is watchable if not at his best. Alda is good but a bit too light and friendly to be the president. The rest of the cast are amusing in different ways – Torn, Pollack, Nunn, Spadlin, Wright, Belushi etc are all good.

Overall Moore lacks his usual bite and this one good idea is lost in a film when really it could have been a good 15 minute sketch. The media war is funny and, post 9/11, is quite sharp even though it is a little too light, but outside of that the comments, ideas and laughs dry up.