This week’s movie is The Barbarian Invasions (2003).
The Canadian drama is about the
final days of a college professor Remy’s life and the lengths his son Sebastien
will go to, insuring that his father is comfortable and surrounded by his
friends and loved-ones (it is a sequel to The Decline of the American Empire
in so much as it shares many of the same characters, but that film is not
necessary at all to enjoy this one). It is touching story written and directed
by Denys Arcand (who also had
a critical hit with Jesus of
Montreal). The cast is very good lead by Remy Girard, Stephane Rousseau, Marie-Josee Croze, and Marina Hands. The film was
nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Oscar in addition to winning the Best
Foreign Language Film Oscar, and it won the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes
Film Festival (where it was also competing for the Palme d’Or). Arcand’s screenplay
is wonderful, as tonally it is both tragic and full of happiness. It is a
scathing critique on healthcare in Canada and the younger generations who
seemingly have grown-up without knowledge of the arts, while also touching
briefly on the futility of the war on drugs. It is a beautiful tale of a father
a son reconnecting, and finally a story about a man facing the end. And yet,
even with such a broad range of topics, Arcand develops wonderful characters
and moments. It is a must-see for fans of great dramas (this is one of the best
of the decade). Check out the trailer.
Available on DVD
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