Let's All Hate Toronto

Let's All Hate Toronto is a comical and light-hearted documentary film from Canada that was released in 2007. The film stars renowned directors, Albert Nerenberg (who also makes an appearance as an actor) and Rob Spence, and also features the famous comedian and actor, Colin Mochrie. The film explores the intriguing question of why Canada’s largest city, Toronto, is often the subject of scorn and ridicule from residents of the other provinces. It's a sociological exploration, but with a touch of humor that makes it stand out.

The movie follows Toronto lover Mr. Toronto, humorously portrayed by Nerenberg himself. He is a self-proclaimed Toronto enthusiast, one who is on a bizarre mission across the country to confront Canadians with their sometimes baseless hate for Toronto, and ultimately celebrates what Toronto should be loved for. Accompanying Mr. Toronto is his sidekick, Spence, who films their adventures.

Nerenberg’s engaging performance as the proud, enthusiastic and often oblivious Mr. Toronto exemplifies the very stereotypes that Canadians generally associate with Torontonians. He parades through various cities of Canada, equipped with a megaphone, reciting verses of love for Toronto. The duo exhibits humorous audacity whilst boldly discussing and investigating Canada's national pastime of Toronto-bashing.

The film cleverly uses satire to explore a topic deeply embedded in Canadian culture. People often lack sound reasons for their disdain for Toronto, which is revealed in cringe-worthy and humorous encounters with non-Torontonians throughout the journey. Yet, despite the hate, the film doesn’t shy away from displaying the many reasons why Toronto is, in fact, a place to be proud of.

Let's All Hate Toronto is infused with humor, wit, and sarcasm, and at times the humor is so sardonic it borders on being almost caustic. Even so, the lighthearted nature of the narrative keeps audiences engaged. Despite the seemingly frivolous premise, the movie manages to hit hard on the fair amount of regionalism and cultural bias that exists in Canada - core issues that are often swept under the rug.

Colin Mochrie's occasional commentary in the film adds extra layers of hilarity and indulges audiences with his perspectives on Canada's alleged antipathy towards Toronto. His participation, however, is not just limited to commentary; Mochrie also appears in several scenes, taking the comic value to the next level.

As the narrative progresses, the film delves deeper into why Toronto, being the most populous city in Canada and the fourth largest in North America, continuously takes a verbal punishment, despite its cultural diversities, economic influence, and technological advancements. The investigation may not directly provide answers, but it does shed light on innate cultural biases and regionalism, topics generally untouched by mainstream cinema.

What makes Let's All Hate Toronto more than just a humor-filled viewing romp is how the movie's playfulness is balanced by its deeper commentary on regional biases that underly the consistent Toronto lampooning. It's a brilliant combination of wit, satire, and subtle cultural commentary that makes for a cerebral viewing experience.

Through a series of memorable vignettes, insightfully witty commentary, and poignant street interviews, Let's All Hate Toronto goes beyond a simple joke about a city being unpopular. Instead, it underscores an intriguing sociopolitical phenomenon in Canadian society with an original, often hysterical, lens.

In essence, Let's All Hate Toronto puts a comedic spin on a national sentiment prevalent in Canada’s socio-political and cultural landscape. It’s not just a film for Canadians but for anyone who enjoys social parody with a side of intellectual curiosity. Whether you love Toronto or not, this documentary offers enough wit, humor, and insight to keep you entertained while subtly making you question your own unspoken biases.