Review: ‘Being Canadian’ takes a light, polite look north of the border

There’s an old joke about how to get 20 Canadians to the leave a room. The answer, which usually elicits a good deal of laughter from Canadians but often a more quizzical reaction from Americans, is, “Ask them.”

Those lingering self-esteem issues are addressed in “Being Canadian,” a politely amusing documentary by Calgary-born comedy writer Robert Cohen that sets out to prove his home and native land is about more than igloos, beer and maple syrup.

In order to do so, Cohen, whose TV credits include “The Big Bang Theory,” embarks on a cross-country tour of Canada in a minivan, interspersed with commentary from a cavalcade of card-carrying Canucks, most of them currently residing south of the border.

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In addition to the usual suspects, like William Shatner, Dan Aykroyd, Eugene Levy, Michael J. Fox and Mike Myers, Cohen also gets some perceptive stuff out of Seth Rogen, Will Arnett, Cobie Smulders and all three members of Rush.

It’s all pleasant enough, but the film, ultimately more of a checklist than an in-depth analysis, never really shines any fresh light on Canada’s identity crisis or gets to the source of all those preconceived notions.

The result will still generate knowing chuckles from expats (this one included) but likely more of a shrug from those who think toques rhyme with “Cokes” rather than “kooks.”

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“Being Canadian.”

No MPAA rating.

Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Playing: Crest Westwood, Los Angeles.

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