So, here’s the deal: Jacob Elordi and Richard Gere are both playing the same guy, Leonard Fife. And before you start wondering if Leonard’s got some kind of magical aging situation going on, don’t worry—it’s all on purpose. Oh, Canada! (yes, that’s the actual title) is a hot new movie where Elordi plays young Leonard, full of passion and angst, while Gere takes over the “I’m tired, and I have strong opinions about oatmeal” phase.
Back to the Plot (A.K.A. Story Time with Grandpa Leonard)
This film, based on the novel by Russell Banks, brings Richard Gere back together with director Paul Schrader for the first time since they revolutionized 80s cinema with American Gigolo. But don’t expect sparkly suits and suggestive stares here; this time, Gere’s playing a cranky old filmmaker with some spicy stories to tell before he kicks the bucket.
Here’s the lowdown: Leonard Fife (played by Gere with the gravelly voice and stoic stare we’ve come to know and love) is sick, but he’s got a fire in him that says, “I’m not done yet!” He’s ready to spill his life story, unfiltered, to Malcolm (played by Michael Imperioli)—who is not only his former student but also possibly the only person willing to listen to him go on for hours. Leonard’s got all kinds of juicy tidbits from his past, from dodging the draft in the Vietnam War to, well, let’s just say there are a lot of exes in his history. And don’t even get him started on the ’60s!
But wait, there’s more! Leonard insists his wife, Emma (Uma Thurman, here to bring some serious “I’ve put up with this man’s nonsense for decades” energy), sits in on the whole thing. She’s Leonard’s creative partner, and frankly, she probably knows more about him than he does himself. As Leonard dishes out the highlights (and the lowlights) of his career and life, Emma is there to silently judge, nodding with the kind of knowledge only a partner of several decades can muster.
So, What’s the Big Message Here?
As Leonard recounts his glory days, he’s got to wrestle with a few of his own “oops” moments. From draft-dodging decisions to relationship missteps, it’s all coming out now, and the guy’s got to face the truth: maybe he wasn’t exactly a saint, even if he was good with a camera. It’s a classic case of “Peeling Back the Layers of the Complex Man,” Hollywood style. Oh, and it’s all set to a Canadian backdrop, hence the title.
When Can You Catch This Ode to Leonard?
The movie’s dropping in select theaters in New York on December 6 and then making its way to Los Angeles on December 13. So mark your calendar if you’re into watching Gere, Elordi, and Thurman go full “Introspective Artist Drama” mode. This might be your only chance to see two heartthrobs embody the same complicated, Canada-loving dude, one generational crisis at a time!
