Watch Hollywood North

Hollywood North is a comedic drama that tells the story of a Hollywood film crew that ventures to Canada to shoot a movie. The film crew realizes that the location is not ideal for the movie and the director decides to change the entire plot to fit the Canadian setting. In the process, the crew faces several challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, and uncooperative weather.

The protagonist of the movie is Bobby Myers (Matthew Modine), the director of the film. He is passionate about his work and wants to create the best movie possible. However, he is constantly frustrated by the obstacles he faces in Canada. Bobby is also dealing with personal issues, including a failed marriage and the death of his mother. He finds solace in his relationship with a bar owner, Renee (Jennifer Tilly), who provides him with support and encouragement.

Saul Rubinek plays Joey, a Canadian actor who is hired by the film crew to play a prominent role in the movie. Joey is enthusiastic about the role but struggles with the American accent required for the character. He also clashes with the other actors on set, who are not used to working with someone who speaks with a different accent.

Alan Bates plays Frank, a wealthy businessman who is financing the movie. Frank is demanding and difficult to work with. He frequently clashes with Bobby and the crew, making their already difficult job even harder.

The movie explores the dynamics between the American film crew and the Canadians they encounter during their stay. The Canadians are initially excited to have a Hollywood movie being filmed in their town, but soon become disillusioned when they see how much the crew is disrupting their daily lives. They form a group to protest against the filming, which creates tension on the set.

Hollywood North also touches on themes of cultural appropriation and authenticity in filmmaking. The film crew initially plans to set the movie in Paris, but changes it to Canada when they realize they can save money by using local resources. This decision leads to a debate among the crew about the ethics of using Canadian culture and landscape for a movie that is not authentically Canadian.

The movie has several comedic moments, particularly in the interactions between the American and Canadian characters. The language barriers and miscommunications between the two groups lead to several misunderstandings that are played for laughs. However, the movie also has poignant moments, particularly in the scenes between Bobby and Renee, as well as Bobby's emotional journey as he confronts his personal demons.

Overall, Hollywood North is an enjoyable movie that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and complexities of making a movie. The film explores themes of cultural differences and tensions, while also providing moments of humor and emotion. The cast delivers strong performances, particularly Matthew Modine in the lead role. If you enjoy movies about movies or are interested in Canadian culture, then Hollywood North is definitely worth watching.

Hollywood North is a 2003 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.