Watch Let's All Hate Toronto
- NR
- 2007
- 1 hr 12 min
-
6.1 (104)
Let's All Hate Toronto is a provocative and hilarious documentary film that explores the hate-hate relationship between Toronto and the rest of Canada. The movie follows the director Albert Nerenberg, who himself is from Montreal and moved to Toronto, as he sets out to investigate why Toronto is so despised across the country. The movie is structured as a series of interviews with Canadians from all walks of life, including politicians, comedians, journalists, and regular citizens, all of whom express their unfiltered and sometimes outrageous opinions about Toronto. Many of the interviewees are downright hostile towards the city, claiming that Torontonians are snobbish, self-centered, and out of touch with the rest of the country. Others are more nuanced in their views, acknowledging that Toronto is an important economic and cultural center but still resenting its dominance over the national narrative.
The film also includes several comedic sketches that poke fun at Toronto's various quirks, such as its obsession with bike lanes and artisanal coffee shops. These sketches are helmed by Rob Spence, a Toronto-based comedian who injects some much-needed levity into the proceedings.
The movie's most engaging moments come from its interviews with Torontonians themselves, who are forced to confront the city's shortcomings head-on. Nerenberg interviews a variety of city residents, from hipsters to homeless people, and asks them whether they think Toronto is really as bad as everyone says. The answers are heartfelt and revealing, with many people expressing their love for Toronto despite its flaws.
Throughout the film, Nerenberg is a genial and curious host, never passing judgment on his subjects but always prodding them to reveal more. He is clearly fascinated by Toronto and the intense feelings it engenders in Canadians, and he does a fine job of capturing the city's diverse and contradictory spirit.
The movie also includes a number of prominent Canadian figures, such as Colin Mochrie, talking about their own experiences with Toronto. Some of these interviews are insightful and thought-provoking, while others feel a bit tacked-on and unnecessary.
Overall, Let's All Hate Toronto is a funny and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on one of Canada's most enduring cultural phenomena. While it may not offer any definitive answers as to why Toronto is so widely disliked, it does provide a fascinating glimpse into the attitudes and beliefs that shape Canadian identity. Whether you love Toronto, hate it, or are somewhere in between, this movie is sure to make you think.