Canada has a fantastic reputation for producing some of Hollywood’s funniest comedians, however I humbly submit that our funniest comedies and comedians keep inside our high quality shores. Exhibit A: Tracy & Martina: Goin’ Out West. (Gerry Dee can be my Exhibit B.)
Hosts of the podcast Shootin’ the Sh!t with Tracy & Martina, the 2 besties from Cape Breton carry us on their journey to Alberta, the place they’re scheduled to open for the band Slowcoaster in Fort McMurray, Edmonton and Calgary. The place Tracy (Justine Williamson) and Martina (Greg Vardy) lack in budgeting prowess, they make up for in East Coast tenacity.
Brendan Lyle‘s mockumentary provides long-time followers and newcomers a chaotic and heartwarming glimpse into the workings of the duo. Tensions mount as funds dwindle, and miscommunication makes for poor lodging selections (it’s a fairly snazzy lodge room although, to be honest). On the coronary heart of Goin’ Out West, nonetheless, is a surprisingly genuine portrayal of blending friendship and enterprise.
Given the heightened nature of the Tracy & Martina model, it’d have been simple for the movie to easily be a lean 90-minute hang around with the gals, simply shootin’ the sh!t. However as with the opposite outputs from the pair, Goin’ Out West centres each joke and humorous response to the circumstances on the journey or die friendship of Tracy and Martina. Even after they’re at one another’s necks — whether or not due to some petty envy or cousins supposedly providing free housing — it is clear their help and loyalty is unwavering.
Williamson and Vardy (additionally co-writers of the movie with Lyle, and producers) know precisely what their followers need they usually ship it unapologetically. Just like Matt Johnson’s Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie earlier this 12 months, Goin’ Out West has little regard for the way the comedy will work for these outdoors Canada, or outdoors the Atlantic area for that matter. The movie has been made with a selected viewers in thoughts, and due to Williamson, Vardy and Lyle’s purposeful ignorance of periphery, Goin’ Out West serves as a first-rate instance of Canadian comedy at its greatest.
Calgary Underground Movie Competition 2026 takes place from April 16 to 26 in Calgary. Discover particulars, together with details about tickets, at CUFF’s website.
