Blue State

Plot synopsis:
John Logue (Breckin Meyer), a dedicated John Kerry campaigner in the 2004 election, actually follows through on a drunken campaign vow to move to Canada if George W. Bush would be re-elected. When Bush indeed wins again, John finds his employer and his friends took his public vow seriously and he can not help but stay true to his word. He meets Chloe Hamon (Anna Paquin), a reader of his blog, who wants to accompany him to Canada. On his way, they visit John's parents who are upset about his liberal views because his father (Richard Blackburn) is an inveterate Republican supporter. Moreover, John's brother is a soldier who fought in the Iraq War. Later, close to the Canada–United States border, Chloe reveals to John that she is a deserter who was in Iraq as a soldier and is supposed to return there.
John insists on taking Chloe to Canada although he then risks getting in trouble should she get arrested. In Canada, they are welcomed by a community of American expatriates but neither John nor Chloe really fit in there, despite the arrangement of a marriage to allow John to remain. Making a difficult decision to return, John and Chloe head for the border and an uncertain fate. When Chloe is arrested and has to go to prison, John waits for her, and in his return to the United States, has made a determination that he must make a difference. "Logue for State Senate" is the bumper sticker on his car.

Tags: romantic

Review:
I really wanted to like this film -- it is a great idea!
However, the comic undertones of the film quickly gave way to a downbeat drama and the portrayal of one of the most dysfunctional families ever seen on film.My enjoyment of the movie dwindled as the film went on and on and on.
The movie makes it look like Winnipeg is a day's drive from Washington state; Canada border guards do not ask Americans to see their passports at the border - they ask for identification (Social Security number, driver's license, etc.); Winnipeg does not enjoy Chinooks (where weather changes 30 degrees in a day) that's Calgary; By 2004 when this film takes place you would have a hard time finding any Canadian boasting of universal health care; and you really don't hear that tall poppy story up here -- that is a story Americans use to describe Canadians, not a story Canadians use to describe themselves.Overall, this was a missed opportunity for a very funny, poignant and timely film that really missed its mark.
Funny movie but some of the dialogue sounds like a political debate.
I saw this at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan.Funny movie about a political activist John Logue (played by Breckin Meyer) who makes a drunken promise that if George Bush is elected president, he will move to Canada.
After John Kerry is defeated by George Bush, it seems like Logue's life has lost its purpose.
To do so he places an ad for a road partner and chooses the mysterious Chloe (Anna Paquin).In case you didn't notice by the synopsis, this film does rip on President Bush quite often, so don't be upset if you're from a certain political party, you know what was in store before seeing the film.
It's still a good movie, but I wish it would have kept its same charm and comedy that it had in its first half.Breckin Meyer and Anna Paquin were very good together, they were well cast and did a good job acting.
However, there are times where it seemed the film was written by someone the day after the 2004 presidential elections.
It probably would've been a better film if some of the dialogue didn't sound like people debating on CNN.It's a nice film and worth looking out for, but just remember to read what it's about before seeing it because it's not for everyone..
Calling 'Blue State' "anti-Canadian propaganda" is a bit like calling South Park's portrayal of egghead Canadians "anti-Canadian propaganda".And, it may be just me, but I felt that 'Blue State' pokes more fun at the Democrat zealot than of Dubya-- for a considerable portion of the movie, and when he's on tirade-mode, it seems to me that John is portrayed as a sad, almost ridiculous figure.That aside, the leads are believable and exhibit romantic chemistry, and make their characters likable.
Especially Breckin Meyer-- as written, John is a self-important, uptight person for most of the film, but Meyer imbues his character with humanity.Overall a mild political satire and competent, heartfelt romantic road trip..
This is a typical formula romantic comedy in that the couple fight and insult each other for most of the film then suddenly get the hots for each other at the end after getting plastered on home made Canadian beer.
It is an unusual romantic comedy in that I found myself hoping the whole film he would escape from her.
I saw this movie at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2007.
Not only are the performances spot on (I think this is some of Anna Paquin's best work), but the movie manages the rare feat of being both funny, warm and thought-provoking at the same time.
I would describe it as part road movie, part romantic comedy - with some acute political commentary thrown in for good measure.
A self-mocking indictment against taking life too seriously, as ever the redeeming power of love wins out, with the moral - at the end - being that it is better to act locally than to run away.As for suggestions that the movie is partisan, I think not, this is merely a matter of character portrayal.Excellent acting by the hero and heroine.
Very enjoyable and absorbing to watch.A self-mocking indictment against taking life too seriously, as ever the redeeming power of love wins out, with the moral - at the end - being that it is better to act locally than to run away.As for suggestions that the movie is partisan, I think not, this is merely a matter of character portrayal.Excellent acting by the hero and heroine.
I have no idea was the movie about when I first watch it, it seem like a nice independent production movie but in the end it was way too average propaganda movie with an American point of view of Canada.The main reason I watch it was because I pretty much familiar with the actors Anna Paquin and Breckin Meyer.
The story is so-so; nothing great can be said about it; except it makes Canada look like a really dreadful place and people are very much a freak.Nothing much developed during the course of the movie except we get to learn the reasons why they wanted to move to Canada, and the rest is just gap filler.
The paces of the film never change but keep constantly slow and somehow not one single moment of memorable scene.I say the film might have work a whole lot better with other direction (and better script), cause this is way too simple and boring and nothing much has been added to help to set the mood of the film any better.The best of the film got to be the casting and that what might be the only things that attract people to watch this movie.
Their acting that was kept me watching it and nothing else.Overall it is not a movie I would recommend to anyone, cause it just plain boring and one sided.
There are some potential but the film has been made and it is not up to the par.Reason To Watch: Anna Paquin and Breckin.Reason Not To: Dreadful.Rating: 4/10 (Grade: F).
Worried about disappointing the loyal readers of his internet blog, a political activist decides to make good on a promise he made to move to Canada if George W.
Bush was reelected in this Canada/US co- production starring Breckin Meyer.
The film is overloaded with political debate (and lots of anti-Bush sentiment), however it nevertheless makes Meyer's road trip less a political one and more a journey of self-discovery in which he learns to be proud to be an American while dealing with personal issues that surface after stopping off at his parents' house along the way.
What exactly Anna Paquin's character has to do with his self-discovery journey is less clear.
All in all, 'Blue State' is a film with enough in it to possibly be worth a look, but with a singular protagonist and a tighter story, it may have been a lot more than just that..
Eager to tell a story certain aspects of the plot and characters can take a back seat to a film's desire to push the plot.The film was successful, however, I feel like proper pacing and better character development would have helped.The political rhetoric, name and fact dropping get old after a while mostly because their analysis is only surface deep.
A desire for more thought provoking facts could have helped validate the hero's desire.Overall acting felt tense and awkward which made the craft more noticeable and made it difficult to let go of the actor's fame.It's a unique film in it's story and arguably would have been better in a more independent circuit or with less known actors.
UPDATE- check out "RED STATE"(2011) movie; a great parallel to "BLUE STATE"The feature tries to inoculate the concept that IF you are an activist , you must be so because YOU ARE NOT NORMAL(Anna Paquin is being used as the ROLE MODEL, apparently the ONLY sane American in the feature.) this is targeting young people by trying to confuse their perceptions of anything that IS "white" OR "black".
(warning)first i must say that i am Canadian by assimilation, and while not having an American voting card, i was just as disappointed of George bush re-election as man others were, especially since his actions in oval office DO have a global impact no matter where you live.
"blue state" is exactly about this, more precisely about A disgruntled "democrat" that after the re-elections of 2004 is on his way to Canada, running away from g.w.b because his vote "did not matter".why 2 stars?
because this movie attempts to play on my feelings, from "incentives" such as a pretty woman (by the way god forbid for anyone to have such a girlfriend) to "happy endings"(no matter how unhappy this administration could make you).
I CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY MAKING A MOCKERY OF THE Canadian PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM by implying that IF YOU JOIN THE US ARMY YOU CAN HAVE A BETTER ONE(health care)...WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER MILLIONS Americans THAT HAVE NU SUCH DARK "PASSIONS" or can NOT easily be lied to?
if you are a CONSERVATIVE, you will likely love this movie and i mean that literally, if watch it all..if you are an anti-bush activist you will certainly dislike it (again, must see it entirely.surprisingly, on the feature's artistic merits, i was quiet WELL pleased UNTIL THE LAST 20-30 MINUTES!.
while it is not a "fast" movie per-see, it is VERY rich in ideas and thoughts including self induced criticism.Breckin Meyer plays excellent and seems very comfortable in the character's skin.
the whole production is targeting Americans only since there are MANY "clichés" that could not easily be applied even to Canadian "lifestyles" for example( then think the rest of the non-English world...).
towards Canadians like myself there are plenty of insults (from the the marry-a-Canadian matrimonial agency in its objective or , the Canadian border officer that dislikes American beer because it tastes like "s--t",etc).at times i was not sure if this production took "cheap" shots at me or other Canadians, but regardless, the director did it with "gusto" and i can appreciate that until the twist that makes the whole feature PURE PRO-PRESENT ADMINISTARTION PROPAGANDA.(even the ideas in the movie imply that "bush" OR "kerry" are THE SAME THING) for example i had nor seen or heard of "40 inch" size pizza order, looks hilarious do)).
dead, look at me i am running from my own country like a refugee" and Anna Paquin hears that......she gives this "superior" stance, very irritating, of a superior "moralist" she sees herself as.it gets WORSE after ...i CAN NOT BELIEVE i actually wasted my time to watch this, even if i loved most of the movie until it tried to TWIST everything up!(especially from the comments made by the American loving in Canada for 35 years because he ran away from the draft in Vietnam).
A well written character-driven political road trip film.
"Blue State" is set after the John Kerry versus George Bush election of 2004.
Our hero, John Logue (Breckin Meyer) a staunch democrat vows to move to Canada as a protest if Bush wins.
So the move to Canada begins.The film is predominantly a road trip.
John seeks a driving partner for the trip and finds Chloe (Anna Paquin).
Although John is extremely liberal, the film isn't.
Being liberal myself, I connected to John instantly and his weaknesses just made him that much more endearing to me.The road trip part of the film is extremely well written and moves at a reasonable pace.
I highly recommend "Blue State" to all the John Logues out there..
But getting back to this movie; a "comedy?" Where?
It's a story that I think begged to be told.I'm an American citizen who has lived in Canada many years.
To make their American characters look good and reasoned and noble?
As an American, I was thoroughly embarrassed.This movie was outright offensive to Canadians and informed Americans; in particular, *real* political activists who wouldn't have succumbed to a pretty face, but may have had a more serious agenda in mind.
I would have liked to see a much more thoughtful exploration of the lead characters, living at a time of great political conflict, in a more realistic setting, not this backwards gong show disguised as a politically aware love story.
To be perfectly frank, this movie is a perfect example of why Americans have such a hard time endearing themselves to people outside their borders.
It may have tried to depict the characters returning home as a result of their own political/emotional conflicts, but it ended up looking like a narrow escape from a life in the circus, i.e. Canada.The writer/director completely missed the mark, here.
I originally saw this movie a few years ago off Netflix, but wanted to check it out again the other day since I don't think I really gave it full attention the first time around.
I do remember enjoying what I had seen.Set in 2004, Breckin Myer stars as a very idealistic liberal-minded young American who promises (like such left-wing celebrities as Alec Baldwin and some others did) to move to Canada if George W.
LOL The movie starts out more as a comedy- I was actually laughing quite a lot at the beginning, but be warned- this is NOT a comedy.
Well anyway, we all know the outcome of the 2004 election, so Myer's character (unlike most of those celebrities) decides to go through with his promise, and he looks up a site for Americans who want to marry a Canadian (mostly for healthcare reasons), so he can obtain Canadian citizenship.
On the way, he meets a young woman (Anna Paquin) evading military duties, and they make the rest of the trek together, and form an interesting little budding relationship.I read several comments about this film that it paints liberals (and Canadians LOL) in a not-so-positive light, but I really don't think it does.
Yes, there is some hypocrisy, but overall the film showed the main character as someone who wanted change, but ultimately realized bailing out was not the way to do so-??
A great scene occurs near the end of the film when he meets an older American living in Canada who left to avoid being drafted into the Vietnam war.
LOL Well, I highly recommend this little film- I think both liberals and conservatives (and Canadians!
And again, do NOT go into this film as a comedy, as the way it was marketed.
I don't care that this movie pokes fun at Canadians even though they completely over-exaggerated EVERYTHING about Canada; some parts were slightly humorous while most all of it was absolutely ridiculous.
There was somewhat of a plot with the fact that the main character was moving to Canada because he wanted to "escape" from America, but there was no climax, nothing to anticipate really, and rather predictable.
If anyone is looking for a cute romantic comedy to watch, this is not your movie..
This is another road trip movie.
It was filmed in Winnipeg Canada & area for under One Million Dollars.
Let us hope he improves,the script & direction is adequate for this type of film.The stars are Breckin Meyer (from TV), His performance is' not bad, but not that good either, and Anna Paquin who as child actress won a supporting role Oscar (The Piano) has done better adult roles.
When the film started, I was a bit skeptical of using a road trip fueled by political issues as a backdrop for a romantic comedy.
However, the superb acting of Breckin Meyer and Anna Paquin caught my eye and kept me intrigued throughout the film.As the plot continued to get more far-fetched, it became more and more obvious that this film was not realistic by any means.
I was particularly put off when Meyer's character chooses to stay with the Marry A Canadian organization for more than five minutes.
Luckily, the two finally do leave the crazy group in Winnipeg, only about twenty minutes too late in the film.
After this the plot continues to take some obvious and poorly written turns, but fortunately Meyer and Paquin remain believable and likable throughout the film.When their journey begins, the two awkwardly get to know each other through forced questions due to the fact that they were spending hours alone together in a car.
This is a story about a Democratic political activist who tries to make good on a promise to move to Canada if W wins re-election.What's good about this film is that it includes eerie clips from the period which bring back memories of just how creepy it was to live in the US at that time.
Having the advantage of being Canadian already, I did leave, several months later.But what's bad is almost everything else.I totally did not buy the romantic relationship.
There is real work to be done.It would have been nice if the film had contrasted the US events with Canada's Liberal minority of the same time period, and their eventual election loss to Harper in 2005.That said, Breckin looks good in a pair of jeans.
This period film will definitely be one of those.What is really interesting is that now that Bush has left, so have all the war protesters, yet the war continues.
Terrible - I think Bush's team wrote this movie as a double agent.
Oh, the middle age Canadian "lady" who beds down the boy, and all the liberals, or the draft dodging Vietnam vet living in a cabin in the wilderness, brewing beer that they drink - umm - like a case of before finally falling in love - which was the whole premise of this terrible freaking movie.
This reeks of republicans sneaking into liberal agenda and showing what they really think of Canada.