Deny Arcand's latest film brings back the original cast of "le Decline de l'empire American" in the story of a dying university professor named Remy. Remy is dying of cancer and is stuck in a typical overcrowded hospital in Quebec. He is a leftist teacher who is still passionate at heart about his causes and beliefs, but refuses to budge when his son arrives to try to get him treatment in the US. His son Sébastien who is a high flying investment broker out of London, tries numerous ways of convincing his father to leave, and then ends up resorting to trying to bribe the hospital unions and administrative staff.
Sébastien's intention are without question good even if his methods are questionable, but as old friends of Remy come to re-unite it becomes apparent that the polar opposites between father and son need to be reconciled. It's only early on in the film we learn that Remy's womanizing past ways with numerous mistresses were what alienated him from his son.
There are also eye opening appearances into Canada's overburdened health system, the differences between the United States and Canada, the burden that others take on of being in a loveless marriage, and all the other types of invaders in our lives that challenge us. Many of these are explained through the fine acting of the father and son in dramatic and even humourous ways from Remy's insistence that he voted for medicare and will die in Quebec and that his son should just get back on a plane since he probably has some meeting in Hong Kong he is late for.
The story takes and even more ingenious turn as Arcand uses a drug addict's addiction and even the societal police force that is to keep addicts in line, in a most ingenious storytelling way that is not typical in modern cinema. He shows that both sides can be compassionate and even helpful to anyone. Jose Marie Crozee who plays the addict ends up giving one of the most memorable performances of the year.
There are numerous themes that abound in The Barbarian Invasion, but the one that will come to everyone's attention the most is the concept of dignity. For the most part, the life that Remy has lived is filled with all sorts of pain and triumphs and it would be too easy to drag out a long battle between the father and son who have at first glance nothing in common. But what emerges is a celebration of life and comfort that most people don't get in their last days on earth, surrounded by friends and family with conversations and past lives remembered and everything all wrapped up. Now that's dignity.
Incredibly touching, smart, irreverent and witty like charm abound in this very pleasurable film. All the actors are at the peak of perfection giving fantastic performances in what is one of the most loveable films of the year. And of course Arcand makes a trademark appearance. :)
Fantastic work.
Rating 9 out of 10
Sébastien's intention are without question good even if his methods are questionable, but as old friends of Remy come to re-unite it becomes apparent that the polar opposites between father and son need to be reconciled. It's only early on in the film we learn that Remy's womanizing past ways with numerous mistresses were what alienated him from his son.
There are also eye opening appearances into Canada's overburdened health system, the differences between the United States and Canada, the burden that others take on of being in a loveless marriage, and all the other types of invaders in our lives that challenge us. Many of these are explained through the fine acting of the father and son in dramatic and even humourous ways from Remy's insistence that he voted for medicare and will die in Quebec and that his son should just get back on a plane since he probably has some meeting in Hong Kong he is late for.
The story takes and even more ingenious turn as Arcand uses a drug addict's addiction and even the societal police force that is to keep addicts in line, in a most ingenious storytelling way that is not typical in modern cinema. He shows that both sides can be compassionate and even helpful to anyone. Jose Marie Crozee who plays the addict ends up giving one of the most memorable performances of the year.
There are numerous themes that abound in The Barbarian Invasion, but the one that will come to everyone's attention the most is the concept of dignity. For the most part, the life that Remy has lived is filled with all sorts of pain and triumphs and it would be too easy to drag out a long battle between the father and son who have at first glance nothing in common. But what emerges is a celebration of life and comfort that most people don't get in their last days on earth, surrounded by friends and family with conversations and past lives remembered and everything all wrapped up. Now that's dignity.
Incredibly touching, smart, irreverent and witty like charm abound in this very pleasurable film. All the actors are at the peak of perfection giving fantastic performances in what is one of the most loveable films of the year. And of course Arcand makes a trademark appearance. :)
Fantastic work.
Rating 9 out of 10