Skip over navigation

Help

Canadian Bacon on DVD (1995)

Canadian Bacon cover art
Play Canadian Bacon trailer
Average rating: (60%)
251962081037
3.0
 
Starring: John Candy | Alan Alda | Rhea Perlman | Bill Nunn | Kevin O'Connor | Kevin Pollak | Rip Torn
Director: Michael Moore
Studio: MGM ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 91 mins
Certificate: PG
User collections: Comedy Toilet
Genres: Comedy
Languages: English
Released: 02/02/2004

Brief synopsis of Canadian Bacon

In this wacky satire on the cold war mentality, the president of the United States and an arms manufacturer find it in their best economic interests to plant rumours of a potential nuclear attack--by Canada. Then, following a border incident at a hockey tournament, a patriotic sheriff and his deputies plan a counteroffensive...with hilarious results.
Directed by activist-writer-television mogul Michael Moore, CANADIAN BACON combines the talents of John Candy and Dan Aykroyd with such actors and comedians as Steven Wright, Rip Torn, and James Belushi. The film is reminiscent of the terrific Peter Sellers vehicle THE MOUSE THAT ROARED, which dealt with the Duchy of Grand Fenwick declaring war on the United States in order to lose and thus receive millions in reparations.

Related

Critics Reviews

Rating of 2 stars out of 5 Radio Times

Director Michael Moore impressed both with his satirical documentary Roger & Me and his small-screen series TV Nation, but he came a cropper with this, his feature debut. Reversing the old The Mouse That Roared idea, the story has US President Alan Alda declaring war on Canada to boost his popularity rating. This should have been the signal for some incisive cross-border comedy, but Moore too often goes for easy laughs and settles for national stereotypes instead of fully rounded characters. Kevin Pollak's spin doctor has a couple of good lines, but GD Spradlin's shady tycoon and John Candy's redneck sheriff typify the lazy characterisation.

Halliwell's Film Guide

A one-joke movie that will mean little outside North America, and not a great deal more inside it.

See all 2 Critics Reviews »

Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 3 starsNot as funny as fact

Lord Q from Winchester, UK , 27/05/2004

A half-funny fictional forerunner of Bowling for Columbine but this doesn't have the satirical impact of his documentaries.

  4 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 4 stars

A customer from DUNDEE , 14/07/2004

this is a good political comedy, very relevant in americas current political climate. Good jokes and the legendary John Candy, written directed and produced by michael moore , moore fans will love it.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 3 starsSome funny bits

Chantal Chantal [Highly rated reviewer] , 26/10/2005

Michael should stick to documentaries, this is an average comedy.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 3 starsHe saw Bush coming!

Posco from Cheshire , 16/10/2004

Michael Moore venting his spleen in a feature film rather than a documentary but no less effective or amusing for it. A bit dated perhaps, but the satire still has resonance.

A sympathy for his politics may be required in order to get the most from this film, but unless you're a rabid republican without a sense of humour, I reckon there are chortles-a-plenty for everyone.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews