SummaryDirector Denys Arcand revisits the situations and relationships that informed his international breakthrough The Decline of the American Empire. Set 17 years after Decline, this film, like its predecessor, examines the varying politics -- economic, personal and sexual -- at play among a group of friends, lovers and ex-spouses. [Miramax]
Directed By:Denys Arcand
Written By:Denys Arcand
The Barbarian Invasions
Metascore
Generally Favorable
70
User score
Mixed or Average
6.0
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
70
79% Positive
27 Reviews
27 Reviews
15% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
6% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
100
Dying is not this cheerful, but we need to think it is. The Barbarian Invasions is a movie about a man who dies about as pleasantly as it's possible to imagine; the audience sheds happy tears.
83
The combination of ideas and wit, lively characterizations, believable human dilemmas and a climax that both melts and braces you makes for a fine blend. A movie about ideas may sound like a drag, but this one packages them in well-earned emotions.
80
The rapprochement between Rémy and Sébastien is beautiful to watch, and all of the characters in The Barbarian Invasions are played with a lusty warmth that makes them lovable even when they are being tiresome.
75
The treatment of the subject isn't maudlin, thanks to a witty script and an enormously likable lead character, Remy (Remy Girard), who remains bullheaded and lusty to the finish.
70
Arcand loyalists are bound to miss Rémy, but at least he goes out in style. Even the antagonists will have to admit that.
60
If the banter lacks the often brilliant and erudite -- if showy -- sparkle of its predecessor, the acting is still first-rate, and the film will be best enjoyed by fans eager to spend another 90 minutes with a group of old friends.
20
Shear away the film's pretensions, and it's a soap opera of assholes.
User Reviews
User score
Mixed or Average
6.0
62% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
15% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
23% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
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Production Company:
- Pyramide Productions
- Cinémaginaire Inc.
- Astral Films
- Canal+
- Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC)
- Production Barbares Inc.
- Société Radio-Canada
- Société de Développement des Entreprises Culturelles (SODEC)
- The Harold Greenberg Fund
- Téléfilm Canada
Release Date:Nov 21, 2003
Duration:1 h 39 m
Rating:R
Tagline:A provocative new comedy about sex, friendship, and all other things that invade our lives.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Jutra Awards
• 6 Wins & 13 Nominations
