Le déclin de l'empire américain (The Decline of the American Empire) is a brilliant satire of the male/female wars among a group of middle-aged, middle-class denizens of Montreal, all staged around a major meal at a country retreat on the shores of Lake Memphremagog. The group of intellectual friends spend a day in assorted groups discussing sex, love, sex, relationships and... sex. At times serious and then funny, Arcand's vision is at once a cynical and cerebral look at how men and women view each other, and the concept of happiness itself. Originally produced in French, Le Déclin de l'empire americain won eight Genies, including Best Picture, Best Script, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Gabriel Arcand) and Best Supporting Actress (Louise Portal). It was chosen to be the opening night film of the 1986 Toronto Festival of Festivals.
101 minutes
|
