Watch Canadian Bacon

Canadian Bacon is a 1995 satirical comedy movie that brilliantly combines humor with socio-political commentary, written directed by Michael Moore, an activist and author. This movie is his first motion picture film-making effort that went on to receive critical acclaim for its bold approach to American-Canadian relations. The storyline of the movie revolves around the aggressive political agenda set by a US president who is on a mission to win public favor by means of creating a foreign enemy in its neighbor and ally, Canada.

The story starts by introducing the character of the president of the United States, Alan Alda, who is struggling with low approval ratings and seeking ways to reconquer the hearts of Americans. He comes up with a startling idea of creating a new enemy, which turns out to be the harmless and friendly country of Canada. To fuel his agenda, he employs the services of his trusted advisor, Stuart Smiley, played by Kevin Pollak. Stuart comes up with an extensive media campaign asserting the threat Canada poses to America's economy and national security. The propaganda adverts coerce Americans to boycott Canadian goods and services.

Meanwhile, in a small Canadian town bordering the US, John Candy's character, Sheriff Bud Boomer, is frustrated by the lack of criminal activities in his community. Boomer is a stereotypical Canadian with a lovable and friendly nature that exaggerates the portrayal of Canadian's as nice but timid people. When he becomes aware of the anti-Canadian rhetoric escalation in the US, he becomes a pawn in a plan to start a war with the US. Boomer, with the help of his bickering pals, leads a team of misfits into a mission that seeks to poison Niagara Falls, thus framing Canada as the antagonist.

The storyline of Canadian Bacon is predominantly light-hearted but with a conscious and politically charged plot that's current and applicable to contemporary politics. In addition to Kevin Pollak and John Candy, the movie features a star-studded cast that includes Rhea Perlman, Bill Nunn, and the late comedian Gilda Radner. Rhea Perlman's character, Honey, is particularly funny and adds a sparkle of comic relief that compliments the film's central plot.

The movie's strength lies in its ability to highlight the destructive nature of war and the often irrational propaganda that fuels them. The plot challenges the notion of patriotism and poses thought-provoking questions such as, "Do Americans truly want another war?". Michael Moore's intention here is not to mock but to create a call-to-action that encourages people to question the government's motivation behind its political policies.

Canadian Bacon is a spoof that never takes itself too seriously. It features a playful soundtrack, humorous dialogues, and slapstick humor that serves as a device to draw the audience into the film's message. The film's ending provides an unexpected twist that exemplifies its themes and message while delivering a satisfying conclusion.

The cinematography and lighting of Canadian Bacon lend themselves to amplifying the humor and satire of the film. The director's decision to use a monotonic, bleak color palette for the US scenes and emphasize bright colors and natural lighting in scenes featuring Canada sets the tone for the movie's theme. This stylistic decision creates a stark contrast between the US's bitter and aggressive mood and Canada's warmth and hospitality.

In conclusion, Canadian Bacon is an entertaining and thought-provoking movie that offers insight into how propaganda and nationalism can foster violence, enmity, and unnecessary wars. Michael Moore delivers an entertaining satire that is relevant to the political climate of our times, and his message continues to stand out even after 26 years. The cast of the movie includes well-known actors that bring their unique comedic style to the film, making it a memorable movie-going experience.

Canadian Bacon is a 1994 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.