Once a certain word drops in any summary about where the time travel device is housed in
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, this film instantly reveals itself as the perfect tribute to an old pop sound. Part The Beatles, part loving nod to a certain Robert Zemeckis classic from decades past, there’s a lot to like.
If you don’t want to know too much, here’s the abridged take: This Canadian mockumentary, directed by Matt Johnson,
delivers plenty of fun-filled moments and wears its cinematic tribute proudly. The script was co-written by Jay McCarrol, and together they play fictionalized versions of themselves as two musicians trying to land a bar gig despite never having recorded anything together. It’s a concept fuelled by nostalgia and awkward, self-aware laughs.
Rather than riffing on The Blues Brothers, what’s presented here is Canadiana through and through. Shot around Toronto, Ontario, the locations are real, the energy is grounded, and the familiarity adds to the charm. It is best not to know more before the spoiler wall, so consider this your courteous pause point.
Johnson and McCarrol have formed Nirvanna the Band, a genre-blending act with big dreams of playing the Rivoli. This prestigious venue introduced the world to The Kids in the Hall and the play The Drowsy Chaperone. The problem, of course, is that they have no recordings, no proof of success, and no real industry footprint. Booking the venue feels impossible. Their solution? Supercharge a DeLorean-inspired RV and travel back in time to fix their lack of history.
Naturally, things go sideways. They wind up in 2008, scrambling for fuel, parts, and a way back to their present. They encounter their younger selves, disrupt the timeline, and create ripple effects that become increasingly noticeable.Fixing history without exposing themselves becomes the central dilemma. Oddly enough, everything hinges on acquiring the now discontinued drink Orbitz.
The soundtrack alone may have been the film’s greatest expense. Securing the rights to era-defining tracks could not have been cheap, and without studio goodwill, this production might never have cleared legal orbit. The unspoken safety net of parody likely helped keep things viable.
As for who channels Marty McFly and who leans toward Doc Brown, the visual cues do most of the heavy lifting. The performances focus less on imitation and more on comedic momentum. The production team clearly knows Back to the Future inside and out, layering references from across the trilogy. At times, the film might have worked better with fewer overt nods.
Thankfully, the improvised material balances that out. Some of the strongest moments come from interactions that feel unscripted, filmed among unsuspecting members of the public reacting in real time.
From confusion to amused indifference, that sincerity becomes the film’s secret weapon. That’s Canadiana at its most unfiltered.
4½ Stars out of 5
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie Trailer
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