Oh Canada: FUBAR

Oh Canada: In honor of our country’s birthday July will be Canadian film month at Friday Film Review. We begin with the story of two dudes who know the secret to live is just to give’r in Fubar

FUBAR (2002)
Starring David Lawrence and Paul Spence
Co-Written and Directed by Michael Dowse
Distributed by Alliance Films
76 minutes

There’s so much I could talk about when it comes to Canadian film.   I think my number one issue, though, is the fact that most Canadians refuse to give Canadian film a chance.   Sure they may not have big name stars and flashy budgets, but what Canadian films lack in CGI effects they make up for in something that Hollywood is sorely lacking these days: story.

Everything you need to know about about Terry (David Lawrence) and Dean (Paul Spence) can be summed up in the very first scene.   Filmmaker Farrel (Gordon Skiling) is trying to convince Terry and Dean to be filmed for his documentary about headbangers and their response to Farrel’s short art film he shows them is “turn up the good, turn down the suck!” FUBAR is a silly and touching Canadian mocku-mentary that most certainly does not suck.

The documentary begins as an exploration of two lovable losers.   Terry and Dean quickly prove to be your average blue collar guys whose entire lives revolve around hard rock and a 2-6 of Pilsner.   David Lawrence and Paul Spence are hilarious and totally embrace their character’s ridiculousness and you completely believe that the two have been lifelong friends.   Their life has a very Trailer Park Boys feel to it and if you’re a fan of that classic Canadian television show you will most certainly enjoy this film.

At about the half way mark, though, things take a very serious turn when Farrel discovers that Dean has cancer and is refusing to get treatment.   Suddenly Terry and Dean’s lifestyle of hard partying and rock star ambitions becomes a comment on what people will do to avoid the harsh realities life throws our way.

But thankfully what’s great about the script is that even though the characters get some serious issues thrown their way, the film never loses its humor or mischievous spirit.   It is possible to grow up and still love rock n’ roll.   Fubar is a perfect example of the kinds of fun films that most Canadians are missing out on.