A woman taking the class showed a clip from this film to demonstrate the Canadian accent on French (versus French French - le français, n'est pas le joual). After that, I wanted to watch it. This was in 2008, I believe.
I finally had the chance to watch it (I tried to get my bf into it; he wasn't having any of it (o; ). I didn't realize there were so many famous Canadian personalities in it. Many comedians. Patrick Huard actually came up with the concept of the storyline for the film. And here is an interesting bit on anglo/francophone humour. Interestingly enough, they also list the actors in alphabetical order, so different from how most American films list (either in order of appearance or billed first).
ANYwho... I enjoyed this film because it demonstrates such a fresh perspective away from American "typicals" and relationships. Colm Feore, a Canadian actor who makes frequent appearances in American movies and television, co-stars in this film.
This film centers around Canadian Hockey, and displays the chasm between French-speaking Canada and English-speaking Canada. On first viewing, I thought the film was about an American fed and a Canadian cop having to work together, but it's actually a Quebecois and Ontarian forced to partner and work together--and their styles are different (reminded me of Mulder and Scully--don't ask me why): one's serious and one's not too afraid to bend the rules a bit (maybe 'Tango and Cash'?).
The movie starts with a murder happening and the murderer is masked and out-of-frame. The voice is manipulated so you can't tell who it is (it could be one of the good guys for all we know!)
The cops are introduced as they are starting their days--
Martin Ward, the Ontarian straitlaced, by-the-book police detective who is hoping to get a desk job soon, is a divorcé w/a teenage son and in close contact with his younger sister.
David Bouchard, the Quebecois who isn't afraid to bend the rules a bit, also a divorcé, but still in close contact and on seeming good relations with his ex-wife; he has a young daughter.
They are called on to the scene of a bizarre crime.
A man has seemingly fallen or been dropped onto a large (billboard) sign ("Welcome to Ontario!/Bienvenue à Quebec!"), with his torso/top half on the Quebec side, and his legs, bottom half on the Ontario side.
Bouchard states that it is Ontario's case b/c in soccer (I believe, or some other sports references he makes), it is where the foot crosses that matters.
Ward stops him, stating that in the dash (and other sports references), it is the head/top half that makes the difference.
Through a comical mishap, the body splits in half and one half is on each side of the border.
The relationship between Francophone and Anglophone Canadiens really reminded me of the Wallons/Flamands (Flemish versus French-speaking) characters in "Le Mur" (The Wall, reviewed in an earlier post).
I don't really want to ruin too much of the details that ensue, but overall I felt the film was artfully done and the characters were fleshed out enough that I cared about them.
I like Colm Feore (he's in 24: Season 7, actually), and he's one of those that's a bit underappreciated and hasn't really broken onto the scene (Gary Oldman's another). Patrick Huard is good as well.
They both portray the disdain that Anglo/Franco-Canadians have for each other well, and you feel that when Ward is on Quebecois "soil" and when Bouchard crosses onto Ontarian "soil."
Some parts were predictable, but the mishaps make the movie enjoyable.
Overall, the ending and villain and outerlying characters... well... you'll see. I would recommend you watch this, just to broaden your horizons.
For me, watching films from other countries is a peek into their lives and lifestyles and cultures.
It is, like I said, a fresh perspective away from American norms and expectations.
I would give this movie a B (B-/B/B+ I'm a bit torn lol).
GO WATCH IT!!
Payce.
(o;
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