We probably all have an accent, eh?

All through the Winter Olympic Games, we've been reminded how Canadians tend to say "eh."
Baby boomers like me think immediately of the SCTV comedy team of Bob and Doug McKenzie (stage names). The habit probably isn't as pronounced as suggested by popular entertainment. Gee, popular entertainment wouldn't promote stereotypes, would it?
The movie "Fargo" brought certain Minnesota (or Upper Midwest) mannerisms to the forefront. Like the inoffensive, sing-songy voice and noncommittal air. "Fargo" seemed within bounds in how it presented these traits, although I had reservations about this movie for other reasons. Subsequent movies weren't quite so fair. The company owner in "North Country," the movie about gender discrimination in Minnesota's Iron Range, was a caricature in how he spoke and acted. He came across as a dunce. And he got his clock cleaned in the end.
Meryl Streep, an iconic actress for our times, slipped into a disappointing stereotype in "A Prairie Home Companion." She spoke in an exaggerated sing-songy voice. As an actress she failed to seem genuine this time. Streep for the most part is brilliant, and her job in "Mamma Mia!" helped make the movie one of the best ever, in my view. Which brings to mind: Who would have thought the "movie musical" could have a resurgence? The genre simply needed updating, it turns out, with music that appeals to the boomers. Now I'd like to see the same approach with a movie showcasing Paul McCartney post-Beatles. It would have to be post-Beatles, stamping McCartney as the true iconic performer that he is, away from the eccentric and idiosyncratic John Lennon.
One of the more perplexing questions for boomers to ponder is: How would John Lennon have changed with the times had he lived? Would he be in the mainstream artistically and culturally now? Would he still be with Yoko Ono? I would hope "no" is the answer to that last question. Would he be on "Larry King Live" with short hair and a temperate demeanor?
Because Lennon seemed bigger than life, I would want the McCartney movie/musical to be independent of Lennon's influence in any way, shape or form. I think "Venus and Mars" (from McCartney's lengthy "Wings" period) would be best for the opening scene, accompanied by some surreal scenes setting up the storyline. Soon we'd hear "Band on the Run" and "Jet," putting us back where we were in the mid-1970s, probably up to no good, drifting and putting off our life's aspirations.
There was one "Bob and Doug McKenzie" movie: "Strange Brew." I consider it a comedy classic with only a couple of minor flaws. It had a field day with the Canadian stereotypes. The expression "eh" is noteworthy for its inclusive, consensus-building intention. "Eh" might mean "you certainly must agree, right?" or "please don't be contrary."
Minnesotans have their own way of discouraging contrariness. It's the expression "heck of a deal." Here in Morris you might encounter someone on the street and they'll say "You know, that Riley Brothers thing, that's a heck of a deal, isn't it?" Or, "you know, Coborn's closing, that's a heck of a deal, isn't it?" Or, "you know, the Hancock bank going under, that's a heck of a deal, isn't it?"
We've had a lot of "heck of a deals" lately, come to think of it. What does this Minnesotan remark exactly mean? Well, it means that you are aware and informed and want to indicate that you care, but you are cautious about expressing a specific opinion. An opinion might bring unpleasant conflict.
The company owner in "North Country" seemed so saccharine with such mannerisms, but it quickly became clear that he was a piranha with his intentions toward people. This irony echoes something I heard said once on behalf of people in the eastern U.S., people seemingly prone to being temperamental, rude and hyper. These people seem largely of southern European stock. They might flip the bird at a minor misjudgment when driving a car, according to the image. Abrasive as these people can seem, "they'll be the first to drop everything and help you if they see you're in trouble," this advocate said.
The moral of these stories: Appearances can be deceiving. Stereotypes can be misleading. And speech habits can be merely superficial.
Eh?
-Brian Williams - Morris Minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com