Oh, Canada is a 2024 American drama film written and directed by Paul Schrader, based on the 2021 novel Foregone by Russell Banks. It stars Richard Gere, Uma Thurman, Michael Imperioli, Jacob Elordi, Victoria Hill, and Kristine Froseth. This marked the second collaboration between Gere and Schrader after American Gigolo (1980) as well as Schrader's second adaptation of a novel by Banks after 1997's Affliction.
| Oh, Canada | |
|---|---|
 Release poster | |
| Directed by | Paul Schrader |
| Screenplay by | Paul Schrader |
| Based on | Foregone by Russell Banks |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Andrew Wonder |
| Edited by | Benjamin Rodriguez Jr. |
| Music by | Phosphorescent |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Kino Lorber |
Release dates |
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Running time | 91 minutes |
| Countries | United States Israel |
| Language | English |
The film had its world premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2024.[1] It is scheduled to be released on December 6, 2024, by Kino Lorber.[2]
Premise
editThe story delves into the life of a tormented documentary filmmaker on the brink of death, an American who fled to Canada during the Vietnam War.
Leonard Fife (Richard Gere and Jacob Elordi) is a terminally ill writer and filmmaker who has agreed to have his final testament of his life filmed by documentary filmmakers Malcolm (Michael Imperioli) and Diana (Victoria Hill), but proves to be an unreliable narrator due to his failing and distorted memory.[3]
Cast
edit- Richard Gere as Leonard Fife
- Jacob Elordi as young Leonard Fife
- Uma Thurman as Emma
- Victoria Hill as Diana
- Michael Imperioli as Malcolm
- Penelope Mitchell as Sloan/Amy
- Kristine Froseth as Alicia
- Zach Shaffer as Cornel Fife
Production
editThe production received a SAG-AFTRA exemption and began filming in New York City in September 2023. It wrapped production three weeks later in October.[4] In December 2023, it was announced Kristine Froseth, Michael Imperioli, and Uma Thurman had joined the cast of the film.[5][6][7] Robert De Niro turned down Gere's part due to the low salary.[8] Arclight Films, after producing Schrader's First Reformed, agreed to finance and represent sales of the movie at the European Film Market.[9]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 67% of 45 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "Anchored by Richard Gere's egoless performance, Oh Canada is a thorny and sometimes muddled memory play that fits solidly into director Paul Schrader's self-reflective filmography."[10] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 59 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[11]
References
edit- ^ "The Screenings Guide of the 77th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ "Oh Canada". Kino Lorber. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Jonathan Romney, "‘Oh, Canada’: Cannes Review". Screen Daily, May 17, 2024.
- ^ "Paul Schrader's 'Oh' Canada' Wraps Production". Orange County Film Office. October 12, 2023. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (December 5, 2023). "Kristine Froseth Joins Richard Gere, Jacob Elordi In Paul Schrader Pic 'Oh, Canada'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (December 8, 2023). "Michael Imperioli Boards Paul Schrader's 'Oh, Canada". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (December 12, 2023). "Uma Thurman Confirmed To Join Richard Gere, Jacob Elordi In 'Oh, Canada'". Deadline. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ Paul Schrader in Cannes: “Every Time I’m Getting Ready to Die, I Have a New Idea”
- ^ Keslassy, Elsa (February 8, 2024). "Arclight Films Boards Paul Schrader's 'Oh, Canada' Starring Jacob Elordi, Richard Gere (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ "Oh, Canada". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ "Oh, Canada". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
External links
edit- Oh, Canada at IMDb