When you're in the mood to laugh, eh? 🇨🇦
Because Canadians are funny (and talented).
Comedic talent runs deep in Canada. If I were a betting woman, I might wager that at least half of your favourite famous funny people are Canadian. (Feel free to prove me wrong in the comments.)
Before I delve into the vault of original, hilarious Canadian TV shows (I’ll save folding in the cheese and crushing heads for another time), I’m excited to recommend three movies that recently had me laughing out loud; all three were written and directed by Canadians.
So, without further ado, my recommendations for when you’re in the mood to laugh, eh? 🇨🇦
WHO’S YER FATHER?
Written and directed by Jeremy Larter, Who’s Yer Father? (2023) introduces us to Prince Edward Island’s only Private Investigator, the somewhat clueless but entirely loveable Larry Constable (Chris Locke), who is hired to investigate black-market lobster sales. Along the way, Larry meets the vibrant and impulsive local convenience store owner Rhonda Perry (Susan Kent), and what unfolds is a funny, charming, and unexpected series of events that will have you falling in love with Larry, Rhonda, and Prince Edward Island.
This movie kind of has it all - comedy, a love story, crime capers, sweet moments, a catchy soundtrack, and quaint, colourful locations and production design. Who’s Yer Father was recently nominated for 3 Canadian Screen Awards (Susan Kent and Chris Locke for acting; Fatema Hoque for make-up).
You’ll like this if you like: laugh-out-loud colloquialisms, top-notch spittakes, East Coast charm and scenery, lobster, music videos, Matty Matheson vibes, road trips.
🇨🇦 Where to Stream: Paramount Plus (Amazon Prime)
🇨🇦 Where to Rent: Cineplex.ca, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple Store
Fun Facts: Who’s Yer Father? was filmed in only 18 days! Jeremy Larter’s own father has a small part in the movie — Cecil Misener — and this is not the first time Jeremy has cast family members in his films. Also, of the many funny turns of phrase in the film, the telephone signoff “tapioca” that Larry says in the film came from Jeremy’s father.
P.S. — Coming soon to watch this; feel that — an interview with the writer/director of Who’s Yer Father, Jeremy Larter.
BLACKBERRY
Loosely adapted from the book “Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry” (McNish, Silcoff), this satirical dramedy tells the rise-and-fall story of the people and the business behind the first smartphone: the Blackberry — which some people still don’t realize was invented in Canada.
Fast-paced, with quick-witted writing and a somewhat erratic but entertaining energy, BlackBerry (2023) almost makes the tech-bro workplace look fun (for a minute). Cleverly written and creatively directed by Matt Johnson who also plays Doug in the film, Blackberry boasts an excellent cast, including Glenn Howerton, Martin Donovan, Cary Elwes, Saul Rubinek, and Michael Ironside. Jay Baruchel stars as Blackberry co-founder Mike Lazaridis and gives an excellent performance. I’ve always felt that Baruchel has been underrated in his career, so I was happy to see his recent nomination for a Canadian Screen Award for this role (one of 17 nominations for the film).
You’ll like this if you like: Jay Baruchel, Tom and Greg from Succession, The Social Network, startup origin stories, The Wolf of Wall Street, kickass soundtracks.
🇨🇦 Where to Stream: Crave (en Français only at present)
🇨🇦 Where to Rent: Cineplex.ca, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple Store
Fun Facts: Self-described as hokey and patriotic, Jay Baruchel proudly admitted to being a huge fan of the BlackBerry, having exclusively used one for years, only switching to an iPhone recently out of necessity, as Blackberry phones have been officially defunct since 2002.
I LIKE MOVIES
Anyone else who — like me — spent much of their youth overthinking their movie choices in a video store, will enjoy this film. I Like Movies (2022) is a dark comedy that follows Lawrence Kweller (Isaiah Lehtinen), a movie-obsessed teen who is equally anxious, earnest, pretentious, and endearing as he navigates family, friendship, and his uncertain future.
Playful, nostalgic, funny, and real, writer/director Chandler Levack’s first feature film made me feel seen, not only because it’s about a person who likes loves movies and talks too much in class, but also because it portrays the awkwardness of youth and the pain of anxiety very accurately.
A film and music journalist first, Levack’s first feature is inspired by her own life growing up in Burlington, Ontario, including her time working at a Blockbuster Video. She once heard the film described as “Lady Bird for Losers”, a comparison she agreed with — and so do I - but what I find refreshing and interesting about Levack’s coming-of-age film is how she subverted her story for the screen by telling it through the eyes of a male character. Isaiah Lehtinen’s performance is passionate and honest, reminding me at times of Jason Schwartzman in Rushmore, and Lena Dunham in Girls.
You’ll like this if you like: waxing nostalgic about the ‘90s and early 2000s, coming-of-age films, dark comedies, Clerks, selecting your movie rentals from the middle shelves.
🇨🇦 Where to Stream: Netflix
🇨🇦 Where to Rent: Cineplex.ca, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Apple Store
Fun Facts: Most of the video store set came from an abandoned Blockbuster Video. Also, I love that Chandler Levack’s production company is called VHS Forever. And, in case you were wondering, the Oliver Jewellery “I’m the Cash Man” TV commercial shown in the film was a real commercial — do you remember it, too?
P.S. — I also used to work at Blockbuster:
Enjoy the movie(s),
Heather
Streaming and rental sources listed are limited to the services and websites I subscribe to and/or have access to (in Canada) at the time of publishing. Feel free to search your streaming and cable services for these titles.