Matthew Rankin’s Universal Language is a remarkable film that showcases creative visual storytelling. One memorable scene features Matthew, played by Rankin, planning to leave his job in Québec and return to Winnipeg.
He talks with a slow but fast-talking government worker, whose thick French-Canadian accent makes it sound almost like a tasty sauce. The camera moves around, but our view of the scene stays the same. This change of perspective is strange and funny, making the audience think about how we see things.
The film makes viewers think about perspective and expectations while enjoying everyday life. Its English title, Universal Language, reflects this idea, as it also looks at how language can unite or divide people in Canada.
The film has gained attention, winning a major award at Cannes and becoming Canada’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars.
Universal Language tells a story with interconnected tales inspired by various film styles, including Iranian cinema and the works of director Wes Anderson. Rankin plays a version of himself alongside a talented cast, including Rojina Esmaeili and Danielle Fichaud.
The city in the film is divided into areas with dull colors, and wild turkeys roam around, causing chaos and delight among residents. This fictional Winnipeg feels both real and imaginary, similar to the Terry Gilliam’s Brazil.
In this version, the common language is Persian, and students attend French classes. The film includes humorous moments, such as a mischievous child in a classroom and a tissue seller who collects tears.
Rankin is becoming a leading independent filmmaker in Winnipeg, following in the footsteps of Guy Maddin. His film contains personal touches, such as tombstones that honor his father, Laird Forbes Rankin. The storyline shows his feelings about returning home and the challenges of sorting different cultures.
Still from the movie (YouTube)
Everything in this Winnipeg seems slightly unusual, from a child’s height marked on a door frame to the delicate act of dunking sugar in tea. While some scenes highlight narrow-minded attitudes, others show a group of diverse women knitting together, symbolizing unity. The humor throughout the film reveals the beauty of ordinary moments.
The cinematography by Isabelle Stachtchenko skillfully captures the unique angles and chilly atmosphere of Winnipeg. Ordinary moments are framed in ways that feel grand. The production design by Louisa Schabas also enhances the film’s detailed world, encouraging viewers to watch it multiple times.
Rankin co-wrote the script with Ila Firouzabadi and Pirouz Nemati, balancing chaos and coherence effectively. Even when the film takes unexpected turns, each moment contributes meaningfully to the story. Produced by Sylvain Corbeil, the film reflects the mix of cultures in Canada, combining Quebecois and Persian influences in an interesting way.
The film plays with words and language. In Iran, the currency is called the rial, while in Manitoba, it is named after Louis Riel, a key figure in Canadian history.
The film opens with a playful claim about being from “the Winnipeg Institute for the Intellectual Development of Young People,” though it does not preach. The Persian title, آواز بوقلمون, translates to “Song of the Turkey,” suggesting the connection between the lives of the characters despite societal pressures.
In Rankin’s version of Winnipeg, hand-painted posters of politicians show the town’s timelessness. The film questions the balance between community pride and nationalism, offering lessons for the future while acknowledging life’s uncertainties. Each time we change our viewpoint, the essence of life remains unchanged.
Colin from Accounts is a show that initially threw some people off with its title. At first glance, it sounds like it might be a story set in an office or even a mockumentary. But if you watch just one episode, you’ll quickly understand that the show is far from a workplace comedy.
Created by Australian husband-and-wife duo Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, who also star in the series, the show delivers witty humour, heartfelt moments, and an unexpected love story.
Despite its immediate success in Australia, it took longer for American viewers to catch on, most likely because there are so many shows available to stream these days. However, missing this hilarious and heartwarming series would be a major loss for any comedy lover.
Two seasons in, Brammall and Dyer continue to excel, portraying characters showing a rollercoaster relationship while trying to reclaim their adorable, disabled dog.
The Story of “Colin from Accounts”
So, what exactly is Colin from Accounts about? Contrary to what the title might suggest, Colin isn’t a human character—he’s a dog. In the very first episode of Season 1, Gordon Crapp (played by Brammall), a brewery owner, accidentally hits the dog with his car.
The accident happens because Gordon was distracted after being flashed by nurse Ashley Mulden (played by Dyer), who was crossing the street at the time. This embarrassing moment leads to a rushed trip to the vet and a huge medical bill.
As a result, Gordon and Ashley are forced to stay in touch, initially because of the financial burden, but as they begin spending more time together co-parenting Colin (who is now disabled and gets around using wheels), a bond begins to form.
While the two have feelings for each other, their journey to romance is anything but straightforward. There are bumps along the way, and both Gordon and Ashley have moments where they wonder if they should even be together. By the end of the first season, the couple decides to try a serious relationship and even officially adopt Colin as their dog.
Still from Colin from Accounts (Credit: Paramount+)
But as with most things in life, it’s not that simple. They’ve already given Colin away to another family before making their decision, which leads to the central conflict of Season 2. The season kicks off a few weeks later, with Gordon and Ashley stalking the park near the new family’s home, trying to lure Colin back.
Their efforts to reclaim their dog grow more and more ridiculous as the season progresses and the humour only intensifies. In addition to their mission to get Colin back, the characters’ personal lives become more complicated.
Ashley’s best friend Megan (played by Emma Harvie) begins dating Gordon’s friend and business partner, Chiara (Genevieve Hegney). Chiara, on the other hand, is facing a major revelation about her sexuality, even though she’s already married with kids.
Gordon’s employee Brett (Michael Logo) is also struggling with his living situation and is on the verge of being kicked out by his parents. Brett even consults a lawyer in an attempt to claim the squatter’s rights to stay in his home.
As if that wasn’t enough drama, Ashley’s mother Lynelle (Helen Thomson) decides to let her boyfriend Professor Lee (Darren Gilshenan) move into her house, much to Ashley’s annoyance.
As all of this chaos unfolds, Gordon and Ashley are adjusting to life together, learning more about each other and facing the inevitable challenges that come with living under one roof.
Season 2: Bolder, Funnier, and More Unpredictable
While the first season of Colin from Accounts introduced viewers to these lovable yet flawed characters, the second season raises the stakes. Season 2 doesn’t just build on the foundation set by Season 1—it pushes the boundaries even further in terms of humour and storylines.
Brammall and Dyer, who both take turns writing the episodes, go deeper into the characters and show more complex and, at times, uncomfortable situations. From Ashley falling asleep on a train and waking up in a series of increasingly bizarre predicaments in the episode “Waterfall” to a black-and-white dream sequence involving Colin, the show isn’t afraid to experiment.
The dream sequence, in particular, adds a new layer to Colin’s story, showing the trauma the dog experienced from the accident. In this way, Season 2 is a lot less predictable than a typical romantic comedy. It even draws some comparisons to Donald Glover’s show’s more complex and, at times, uncomfortable situations.
Still from Colin from Accounts (Credit: Paramount+)
From Ashley falling asleep on a train and waking up in a series of increasingly bizarre predicaments in the episode “Waterfall” to a black-and-white dream sequence involving Colin, the show isn’t afraid to experiment.
The dream sequence, in particular, adds a new layer to Colin’s story, showing the trauma the dog experienced from the accident. In this way, Season 2 is a lot less predictable than a typical romantic comedy. It even draws some comparisons to more complex and, at times, uncomfortable situations.
From Ashley falling asleep on a train and waking up in a series of increasingly bizarre predicaments in the episode “Waterfall” to a black-and-white dream sequence involving Colin, the show isn’t afraid to experiment.
The dream sequence, in particular, adds a new layer to Colin’s story, showing the trauma the dog experienced from the accident. In this way, Season 2 is a lot less predictable, more complex, and, at times, uncomfortable.
From Ashley falling asleep on a train and waking up in a series of increasingly bizarre predicaments in the episode “Waterfall” to a black-and-white dream sequence involving Colin, the show isn’t afraid to experiment. The dream sequence, in particular, adds a new layer to Colin’s story, showing the trauma the dog experienced from the accident.
In this way, Season 2 shows more complex and, at times, uncomfortable situations. From Ashley falling asleep on a train and waking up in a series of increasingly bizarre predicaments in the episode “Waterfall” to a black-and-white dream sequence involving Colin, the show isn’t afraid to experiment.
The dream sequence, in particular, adds a new layer to Colin’s story, showing the trauma the dog experienced from the accident in more complex and, at times, uncomfortable situations. From Ashley falling asleep on a train and waking up in a series of increasingly bizarre predicaments in the episode “Waterfall” to a black-and-white dream sequence involving Colin, the show isn’t afraid to experiment.
The dream sequence, in particular, adds a new layer to Colin’s story, showing the trauma shows more complex and, at times, uncomfortable situations. From Ashley falling asleep on a train and waking up in a series of increasingly bizarre predicaments in the episode “Waterfall” to a black-and-white dream sequence involving Colin, the show isn’t afraid to experiment.
The dream sequence, in particular, adds a new show more complex and, at times, uncomfortable situations. From Ashley falling asleep on a train and waking up in a series of increasingly bizarre predicaments in the episode “Waterfall” to a black-and-white dream sequence involving Colin, the show isn’t afraid to experiment.
The dream sequence shows more complex and, at times, uncomfortable situations. From Ashley falling asleep on a train and waking up in a series of increasingly bizarre predicaments in the episode “Waterfall” to a black-and-white dream sequence involving Colin, the show shows more complex and, at times, uncomfortable situations.
Still from Colin from Accounts (Credit: Paramount+)
From Ashley falling asleep on a train and waking up in a series of increasingly bizarre predicaments in the episode “Waterfall” to a black-and-white Atlanta due to its occasionally surreal elements.
However, no matter how unusual the situations may seem, the comedy remains grounded thanks to the incredible ensemble cast. Each character brings something unique to the table, making even the most mundane moments hilarious.
For instance, Ashley’s mother, Lynelle, lives in denial about her boyfriend Lee’s questionable online behaviour, leading to painfully awkward encounters. Meanwhile, in an early episode of Season 2, Brett and Chiara finally get the chance to bond outside of their usual workplace setting.
This unexpected interaction reveals a deeper emotional side to both characters, showing that Colin from Accounts is more than just a funny show—it’s a series with heart.
The Realness Behind the Humor
One of the best things about Colin from Accounts is how he finds humour in real-life situations. The show doesn’t need exaggerated gags to make people laugh; instead, it relies on situations that feel natural, albeit awkward. For example, Ashley and Gordon go on a double date that starts awkward and quickly turns into a disaster.
Still from Colin from Accounts (Credit: Paramount+)
Their honesty with each other, whether it’s about their romantic histories or their struggles with new relationship dynamics, is both cringe-worthy and relatable. Brammall and Dyer excel at creating these moments of “cringe comedy” without losing the emotional depth of the show.
At its core, the series is about real human connections—whether it’s the developing romance between Gordon and Ashley, the friendships that form between the supporting characters, or even the love and care they show for Colin. The dog may be at the centre of the story, but the people around him are what make the show shine.
Season 2: A Relatable Love Story with Comedy and Heart
While Colin from Accounts is partially about a dog, the true focus is on the relationships between the human characters. The chemistry between Brammall and Dyer, who are married in real life, plays a big role in the success of their on-screen romance.
Their real-life dynamic adds an authentic layer to their performances, and this chemistry extends to their interactions with the rest of the cast. Now that Gordon and Ashley are officially a couple, some of the initial “will-they-won’t” tension is gone.
But Season 2 makes up for that with the challenges and growing pains that come with any new relationship. The series addresses these issues head-on, presenting honest and sometimes uncomfortable truths about what it means to build a life with someone.
Although Colin from Accounts might not be as popular in the United States as it deserves to be, that only means it’s the perfect time to discover this hidden gem.
Still from Colin from Accounts (Credit: Paramount+)
The second season continues to showcase Brammall and Dyer’s comedic genius, as well as the exceptional talents of the supporting cast.
And while it may be tempting to binge all eight episodes in one go, it’s worth taking the time to savour each moment of this brilliantly written show.
Colin from Accounts is a witty Australian comedy about Gordon and Ashley, who bond after a car accident involving a dog named Colin.
As they show their relationship, they face personal challenges, hilarious mishaps, and the quest to reclaim their dog. Season 2 deepens the humour with bolder storytelling.
Colin from Accounts Season 2 will be available on September 26 on Paramount+.
