I haven't seen Canadian Bacon in years, although it used to be one of my favorites,s o I'd be happy to attempt a timely re-watch. I watched Frozen River sometime in the past year, I think after reading a fairly misleading description. I found the silences to be interesting, and agree with a lot of your observations, and the car interior thing is something I totally missed. Having spent only a small amount of time in upstate NY, and nowhere near, as upstate as you, it felt the way I imagine upstate NY to feel in terms of cold, quiet, space and confinement.