7/10
Why can't English Canadians make these films?
23 July 2002
This was the most popular Canadian made movie in 1994, and it was made and shown completely to a French audience. Dubbed into English for later showing on television, it is still charming and entirely watchable, if no great work of cinema. Moreover, at least two major Hollywood productions on the exact same theme, "The Truman Show" and "Ed TV" were made well after this movie was released. But the real shame of Louis 19th is that almost all of the most popular and successful Canadian films of the past decade were made in Quebec in French for a Quebec audience. In addition to that, they proudly show off their Canadianness (in this case, by the main character talking about local children's TV shows, like the fondly remembered "Razzle Dazzle"). Meanwhile, this is the only year in a long time where there has been any really watchable films made in English Canada that are distinctly Canadian - "Duct Tape Forever" and "Men With Brooms". Meanwhile, Quebec continues year after year to turn out distinctively Canadian films like "Les Boys" (about hockey, you can't get more Canadian than that). Its not about money or talent - there are lots of great Australian films to choose from, and their industry thrives while English Canada's continues to die on the vine making cheap imitations of Hollywood movies.
6 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed