FUBAR(film)
| FUBAR | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Dowse |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Michael Dowse |
| Music by |
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| Distributed by | Odeon Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 79 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Budget | Shooting Budget:$10,000CAD[2] Final Budget $350,000CAD |
FUBARis a 2002 Canadian comedy film directed byMichael Dowseand written byDave Lawrence,Dowse andPaul Spence,following the lives of two lifelong friends andhead-bangers,Terry Cahill and Dean Murdoch. It debuted at theSundance Film Festival.Since its release, it has gained a cult status inNorth America,particularly inWestern Canada.
Filmed and set in and aroundCalgary, Alberta,it was shot on aCanon XL1,on ashoestring budgetthat required Lawrence to max out his credit card and his dad to refinance their family home to complete it.[3]
The film features characters created by Lawrence and Paul Spence that they developed based on the head-banger subculture. Terry Cahill, one of the main characters, played by Lawrence, was based on a character he created atLoose Moose Theatrein the mid-'90s. Many people who appear in the movie (including the fist-fighters) were bystanders who thought that the filmmakers were shooting a documentary on the common man.FUBARdid not have a set script, only a rough outline from which the actors improvised.[4]
Plot
[edit]FUBARis the story of two lifelong friends, Terry Cahill (Dave Lawrence) and Dean Murdoch (Paul Spence), who have grown up together:shotgunningtheir first beers, forming their firstgarage band,and growing the great Canadianmulletknown as "Hockey Hair".The lives of these Albertaeverymenare brought to the big screen by documentarian Farrel Mitchner (Gordon Skilling), a young director who decides to take a look at Terry and Dean through a lens, exploring the depths of their friendship, the fragility of life, growing up gracefully, and the art and science of drinking beer "like a man".
Their lives are complicated when they’re snubbed by their "party leader" Troy, better known as Tron (Andrew Sparacino). When Farrel discovers that Dean is hiding a serious case oftesticular cancer,the wheels are set in motion for Dean to seektreatmentfrom Dr. S.C. Lim (Dr. S.C. Lim). With Dean's last weekend before surgery approaching, Terry decides to take Dean, Farrel and the film crewcamping.Things take an unexpected turn by the third day, and Terry and Dean must cope with further tragedy.[5]
Cast
[edit]- Dave Lawrenceas Terry Cahill
- Paul Spenceas Dean Murdoch
- Gordon Skilling as Farrel Mitchner
- Tracey Lawrence as Trixie Anderson
- Rose Martin as Rose Murdoch
- Sage Lawrence as Chastity Murdoch
- Dr. S.C. Lim as Dr. S.C. Lim
- Jim Lawrence as Ron Miller
- Andrew Sparacino as Troy (Tron) McRae
- Laurie D'Amour as Laurie D'Amour
- Cameron Swirka as Fist Fighter #1
- Peter N. Cipriano as Fist Fighter #2
Reception
[edit]FUBARreceived mixed reviews. OnRotten Tomatoes,it has an approval rating of 55% based on reviews from 11 critics, with an average rating of 6.0/10.[6]
Paul Dale ofThe Listgave it 3 out of 5 and wrote: "The gloriously stupid levels of debauchery reached in this film will have a strange resonance for anyone who lived through the Thatcherite bedsit stinkfest that was pre-Acid House Britain."[7] Kevin N. Laforest of theMontreal Film Journalcompared the film toThis is Spinal Tap"only with more pathetic protagonists- and funnier!"[8] Empiregave it 2 out 5.[9]
In 2023, Barry Hertz ofThe Globe and Mailnamed the film as one of the 23 best Canadian comedy films ever made.[10]
Soundtrack
[edit]A soundtrack album,FUBAR: The Album,was released in 2003.[11]The album includes songs from The New Pornographers, Chixdiggit and Sloan.
Sequel film
[edit]After the success ofFUBAR,its sequel,FUBAR 2: Balls to the Wall,secured a $4-million budget based only on the scriptment marking the first time ever Telefilm Canada green lit a film without a complete script.[3]
Filmed inEdmontonandFort Saskatchewan,Alberta, the plot involves Terry and Dean moving to Fort McMurray to earn easy money in the oil patch. Similar to the firstFUBARfilm, the dialogue was improvised but the budget was significantly larger than the first film. The sequel was the first Canadian film to premier at the Midnight Madness slot at the2010 Toronto International Film Festivalon September 9, 2010.[12]The film was released throughout Canada on October 1, 2010.
The sequel was well received. OnRotten Tomatoes,it has a 90% rating based on reviews from 10 critics.[13]
Television series
[edit]On February 10, 2017,Rogers MediaandVICE Studios Canadaannounced an eight-episode television series,FUBAR: Age of Computer,that continued the legacy of the originalFUBARfilms. The series captured the experiences of Terry Cahill, played by Dave Lawrence, and Dean Murdoch, played by Paul Spence, exploring the internet for the first time. The show features real-life interactions with various experts and influencers online.FUBAR: Age of Computerwas inspired by Dave Lawrence's character, Terry.[14]
The series was filmed inMontreal, Quebec,and premiered on November 3, 2017, and aired onVicelandandCityTV
In 2022,TNT FUBARwas released and is aired through the streaming site Swearnet.[15]This series showcases Terry Cahill, played byDave Lawrence,as he is living back home in Calgary, Alberta. He is joined by his cousin Shank played by North Darling and his wife Trish, played by Terra Hazelton. The series shows Terry renting out Shank’s basement, his attempted divorce from his wife Trish and a misunderstanding with a multi-level marketing scheme that leads Terry to Bret Hart, played by Bret Hart.[16]
Mobile game
[edit]On January 8, 2020, Kano Applications Inc. announced the worldwide launch of new mobile game,Fubar: Just Give'r,developed in collaboration with East Side Games and BT Productions.[17]This narrative clicker idle game available oniOSandAndroidpicks up where the movies left off with all new storylines and exciting weekly events.[18]Players will join the iconicFUBAR(film) duo, Terry and Deaner, and help them as they embark on a quest to beat the World Record for Longest Party Streak.[19]
References
[edit]- ^Maimann, Kevin (May 7, 2010)."Gruesome tunesome",Edmonton Sun
- ^Stagg, Carly (April 20, 2017)."Calgary cult classic Fubar still givin' 'er 15 years after release".CBC News.RetrievedMarch 28,2020.
- ^abMiller, Abby (17 October 2011)."Dave Lawrence".Avenuecalgary.Retrieved24 January2022.
- ^"Michael Dowse's Happy Ending: Is Hollywood ready for the Fubar director?".The Calgary Herald.August 22, 2014.RetrievedMarch 15,2021.
- ^Slone, M. & Michael Ladano: Story Synopsis (first paragraph) written by Mark Slone. Story Synopsis (second paragraph) written by Michael A. Ladano
- ^"Fubar (2002)".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedMay 6,2021.
- ^"The List: 10 Jun 2004".The List Archive.10 June 2004.
- ^"Fubar".Montreal Film Journal.18 December 2005.
- ^"Fubar".Empire.
- ^Barry Hertz,"The 23 best Canadian comedies ever made".The Globe and Mail,June 28, 2023.
- ^Fubar: The AlbumanAllMusicReview by Stewart Mason
- ^Howell, Peter (10 August 2010)."Canadian picks about beer, brains and dysfunctional families".Toronto Star.Retrieved24 January2022.
- ^"FUBAR 2 on Rotten Tomatoes".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedMarch 15,2021.
- ^video chat "FUBAR creators bring the Alberta headbangers into the modern age".CBC NewsEdmonton, November 3, 2017.
- ^"Terry's Tale: Calgary's favourite headbanger flies solo, comes up with a plan in new FUBAR series".calgaryherald.Retrieved2022-09-30.
- ^"Terry's Tale: Calgary's favourite headbanger flies solo, comes up with a plan in new FUBAR series".calgaryherald.Retrieved2022-09-30.
- ^"FUBAR: Just Give'r Now Available Worldwide on iOS and Android!".Kanoappd.January 8, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 13,2020.
- ^"Victoria gaming studio helps bring FUBAR back to life with new mobile game".Oak Bay News.January 11, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 13,2020.
- ^"Victoria studio releases new mobile game".Times Colonist.January 10, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 13,2020.
External links
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