29/25
Narrative
Leonard Fife, one of the 60,000 draft dodgers and refugees who fled to Canada to avoid service in Vietnam, shares all his secrets to unravel his story. Author: Russell Banks This is the second time Paul Schrader has directed one of Banks’s novels, Affliction (1997), for the screen. Featured on the Movie Junk Podcast: Episode 961: In a Violent Nature + TIFF 2024 (2024). I saw this at Cannes, at the film’s premiere. OH, CANADA is a very original film from one of the masters of cinema, a true work of art. The film is beautifully crafted with powerful visuals. It has a beautiful soundtrack and excellent production design. The acting is strong, especially Richard Gere in the title role. He gives a wonderful and memorable performance, similar to Jack Nicholson in Five Easy Pieces – a complex, not always likeable but charming character. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think it’s Paul Schrader’s greatest hits and a gift for movie lovers. Recommended.