Canadians at the Movies
It's strange how during a Hollywood blockbuster, it seems like Canada does not exist during those one hundred and thirty minutes. Of course, you recognize the Vancouver skyline or the British Columbia rainforests, yet the American flags tell the viewer loud and clear that this film takes place in the United States. There is nothing wrong with this, yet as Canadians it's hard not to feel a little left out. Fortunately, there are often very Canadian influences in these films that you may or may not realize.
A surprising amount of up and coming actors were born and raised in Canada. Take this year's sensation Juno, a movie filmed in British Columbia. The film's stars Ellen Page and Micheal Cera are both proudly Canadian. Ellen Page, the twenty one year old from Halifax, has become the fourth youngest woman to be nominated for best actress for her work in Juno. Her down to earth personality and self proclaimed "feminist" attitudes towards the roles she chooses make Canadians proud to call her one of our own. While it seems that she has no movies to be released this year, keep a look out for her in 2009.
Her Juno co-star, Micheal Cera, is also some one to keep an eye on. While he had already won the hearts of movie goers with roles in films like Superbad and the critically acclaimed television show Arrested Development, Juno was a chance for us to see his musical talents. Cera is, in fact, part of a band called The Long Goodbye. Their songs are as heart warming and ear pleasing as can be expected from this talented star. The Ontario native also has a line up of films to be released in the next few years, including the big screen version of the popular book Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.
If you look hard enough, Canadian actors come out of the woodwork faster than you can count them. The writer and producer of Superbad, starring Micheal Cera, is also Canadian. Seth Rogen has produced, written or acted in almost all of the top comedies in the past few years. In the hit Knocked Up, his character even mentioned coming from Vancouver, which certainly earns him extra points. Young actress Martha MacIssaac, who played Micheal Cera's love interest in Superbad, is also a Canadian, born in Charlottetown, PEI. Hopefully, we can see more of her in the next few years.
Fortunately, the box office is already currently full of Canadians. Hayden Christensen, born in Vancouver BC, stars in a new movie Jumper along side the OC's Rachel Bilson. Ryan Gosling is staring in one great film after another, and is currently lighting up the screen in the indie film Lars and the Real Girl. Jessica Lucas in Cloverfield, Ryan Reynolds in Definitely, Maybe, the list of Canadian talent that can be seen this month in the movie theaters goes on. The next time you find yourself in a movie theater, remember, the flag may be American, but that doesn't mean the actors are.
