If art imitates life, then 'Goon' is no exception

Rating: 7/10 (7 March 2012)

Jay Baruchel is seemingly very patriotic and enjoys embracing his Canadian heritage, which is often reflected in his work. In a scene in his film 'Knocked Up,' Jay's character was asked what the tattoo of the maple leaf on his chest represented. With unyielding pride, he responds, "this is a tribute to my country and my countrymen," a line which couldn't be more accurate or befitting in describing his latest screenplay and big-screen writing debut, 'Goon.'
'Goon' encapsulates heart, humour and hockey, all the major elements of a good old-fashioned Canadian-spirited movie, and like any respectable Canadian, it always remembers its "Ehs" and "Thank Yous."
Seann William Scott plays the title character well, and it would surprise me if the real Doug was not satisfied with the portrayal. But Scott does take the phrase "break a leg" much too literally, and the film's art directors don't hold back in splashing blood wherever they can.
The film makes the most out of its disclaimer warning viewers of its violent nature, which is evident from beginning to end. The film's fight scenes, particularly the final showdown, are gruesome and gory, and at times will make your face cringe and your body shiver. That is unless you have a very high threshold for pain and can stomach it when you see it being inflicted on another person, even if it is just being acted. The graphic artists are good and accentuate these scenes as much as possible.
Like the torrents of slow-motioned blood splatter, you're sure to be overwhelmed by the sexually-explicit, inappropriately rampant, definitively outlandish, unmitigated and brazen dialogue. 'Goon' puts to shame any movie that has ever been assigned an R-rating for its profanity and coarse language. That said, I do think that the dialogue will be what viewers remember most from this film. The brash and outspoken remarks from the naturally corky Baruchel are absolutely hysterical, as are the exchanges between Scott and his character's love-interest Eva, played by Alison Pill. Every movie seems to have a place for a romantic side story, even Goon, and Pill has one of the best lines in the entire movie.
It is difficult to ignore the intensely revealing graphic content, but it is impossible not to appreciate the heart of the lead character, the humour in the dialogue, and the game of hockey that is proudly Canadian.