The film begins with a small group of documentary filmmakers entering a luxurious home. They rearrange various objects and set up equipment, including lighting and camera backdrops, in preparation for a professional recording session. Through narration, we learn that an older man named Leonard Fife (Richard Gere) resides in the home and is about to be interviewed by his former students from Montreal. It becomes clear that Leonard has cancer and is likely to pass away at any moment. His current wife, Emma (Uma Thurman), is also present for the interview but sitting away from Leonard.
As Leonard enters the room, the group prepares for some introductory small talk. The film crew informs them that they have prepared twenty-five questions for Leonard, which will be used in their upcoming film. These questions will cover his arrival in Canada as a draft refugee and the events that led him to become a filmmaker. Leonard acknowledges that this may be his last opportunity to speak openly about his past. He appears heavy-hearted and requests that his wife stay during the entire interview process, as some of the revelations will also be significant for her.
Leonard begins by recounting a night in Virginia on March 30, 1968, and we get to watch a much younger Leonard (played by Jacob Elordi) relive it. In this scene, he is married with one child and another on the way. It becomes clear that he has many secrets he needs to confront, including past lies and aspects of his life that have remained hidden from the entire world until now.
Oh, Canada is a drama film based on the novel Forgone by Russell Banks. It was co-written and directed by Paul Schrader, whose previous works include First Reformed (2017), The Card Counter (2021), American Gigolo (1980), and Affliction (1997), among other notable films. Interestingly, according to IMDb, Oh, Canada marks the second time Paul Schrader has directed an adaptation of a Russell Banks novel, following Affliction in 1997. While some of Schrader’s films resonate well with me, I have found others disappointing and perplexing. I find myself in the middle on Oh, Canada.
Visually, Schrader consistently uses innovative ideas and clever concepts. Oh, Canada features many impressive shots with unique viewing angles, as well as brilliant visual elements. Notably, the film occasionally employs black and white to represent specific memories from Leonard Fife’s past, and it creatively features actress Uma Thurman portraying multiple characters. This choice reflects Leonard Fife’s perception of these characters in his mind. The visualisation of Fife’s memories as he recalls them is a thoughtful concept. Both male leads, Richard Gere and Jacob Elordi, deliver excellent portrayals, with Gere possibly being the stronger of the two due to his multiple monologues. Uma Thurman also performs well; however, I couldn’t help but wish her presence was more prominent in the final product.
I must admit that I found the story to be relatively slow and sluggish. Some scenes failed to engage me or draw me into the narrative. As harsh as it may sound, I couldn’t bring myself to care about this man’s past, even though the concept of carrying past sins and the torment that accompanies them is both excellent and dramatic. Additionally, I found certain aspects of the film tedious, such as the camera crew interrupting Leo while he retells his story. I also found the questioning about trivial details such as how he could smoke a cigarette on an airplane irritating. Leo’s wife, Emma, is also seen constantly complaining about the interview, even blaming his medication for his responses. The narration by another character was relatively flat and emotionless, which didn’t suit the dramatic story- both the beginning and the ending would have been far more impactful and touching without it.
Overall, writer and director Paul Schrader delivers a dramatic film that features numerous impressive visual and creative choices, including an occasional black-and-white colour palette and distinctive camera styles. The performances of Richard Gere and Jacob Elordi as the leads are both compelling and noteworthy. However, despite several praiseworthy elements, I found myself disconnected from the story at times. Certain moments felt tedious, slow, or even uninteresting, and the dialogue from secondary characters and the narration frequently came off as cringeworthy, interrupting what could have been a more emotionally impactful experience. This made it difficult to maintain interest throughout the film’s duration.
Oh, Canada (2024) is now available in Australian Cinemas, thanks to Transmission Films!
5.3/10
Published: 27th March 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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