The Fall of the American Empire

Name: The Fall of the American Empire
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Released: May 31, 2019
Duration: 127 min
Rating: 55
Cast: Al Goulem, Alexandre Landry, Anoulith Sintharaphone, Ayana O'Shun, Benoît Brière

2019

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Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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The Fall Of The American Empire

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: May 31, 2019 | R

Starring: Al Goulem, Alexandre Landry, Anoulith Sintharaphone, Ayana O'Shun, Benoît Brière, Catherine Paquin-Bechard, Claude Legault, Éric Bruneau, Florence Longpré, Gaston Lepage, Geneviève Schmidt, James Hyndman, Juliette Gosselin, Louis Morissette, Maripier Morin, Maxim Roy, Pierre Curzi, Rémy Girard, Rose-Marie Perreault, Vincent Leclerc, Yan England

Summary: Pierre-Paul Daoust, 36, an intellectual with a PhD in philosophy is forced to work as a deliveryman to afford a decent living. One day, while delivering a parcel, he gets caught in a hold up gone terribly wrong: two dead and millions in money bags laying on the ground. Pierre-Paul is confronted with a dilemma: leave empty handed, or takePierre-Paul Daoust, 36, an intellectual with a PhD in philosophy is forced to work as a deliveryman to afford a decent living. One day, while delivering a parcel, he gets caught in a hold up gone terribly wrong: two dead and millions in money bags laying on the ground. Pierre-Paul is confronted with a dilemma: leave empty handed, or take the money and run?… Expand

Director: Denys Arcand

Genre(s): Comedy, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 127 min

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Critic Reviews

Glenn Kenny

May 30, 2019

With its galloping pace and strange criminal bedfellows, this funny and engrossing film sometimes feels like the droll capers of the Ealing studio (maker of “The Lavender Hill Mob” among other small classics). But Arcand packs in a lot of pointed social and political commentary. Read full review

Allan Hunter

Sep 9, 2018

Rather than attack his subject with bristling anger, Arcand approaches it with world-weary wit and the kind of warming optimism that might not appear out of place in a Frank Capra classic. The result is a little old-fashioned but also surprisingly endearing and feels like some of his best work in a while. Read full review

Josh Kupecki

Jun 26, 2019

True to Canadian stereotypes, it is a polite evisceration: a slap and a tickle, as it were. Read full review

Robert Abele

May 30, 2019

The mix is for the most part a welcome one, save one unappealing character, a retrograde love story, and an air that’s almost too blasé for its own good. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Jul 5, 2019

Fall of the American Empire isn’t an awful film, and it probably will prove as prophetic as “Decline of the American Empire.” But it never lets you forget that its filmmaker identifies too closely with his hero, that he’s “too intelligent” to make a thriller, or bother with getting one right. And in so-doing, his blunders are just as obvious as Pierre Paul’s. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Jun 4, 2019

Floating in an unconvincing middle ground between realism and madcap fantasy, The Fall of the American Empire is at its best when Arcand is taking his potshots from a sly side angle. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Simon Abrams

May 31, 2019

An unbearably preachy post-financial-crisis civics lesson in heist movie drag. Read full review

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User Reviews

Ladubois

Jun 3, 2019

This is easily the best of Denys Arcand’s movies and so easily watched. In fact it demands being watched twice by English speaking audiences, once to read subtitles and a second time to enjoy the actors, the interactions, the action, and all the wonderful and realistic complete cast of “This is easily the best of Denys Arcand’s movies and so easily watched. In fact it demands being watched twice by English speaking audiences, once to read subtitles and a second time to enjoy the actors, the interactions, the action, and all the wonderful and realistic complete cast of “ characters”.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Jun 8, 2019

True to his signature style, French-Canadian director Denys Arcand's latest comedy-drama with a philosophical twist follows the quirky exploits of a sheepish, underemployed but compassionate PhD who unwittingly gets caught up in a high-stakes crime caper with an array of shady characters.True to his signature style, French-Canadian director Denys Arcand's latest comedy-drama with a philosophical twist follows the quirky exploits of a sheepish, underemployed but compassionate PhD who unwittingly gets caught up in a high-stakes crime caper with an array of shady characters. While the film is a bit talky at times and likely tells you more than you ever wanted to know about international monetary transfers, the picture has a heart and serves up more than a few pointed observations about ethics, greed and society's recognition (or lack thereof) of what really has value. This beautifully filmed offering shows off Montreal in its best light while delivering a colorful tale of personal evolution, particularly when it comes to enlightening us how to avail ourselves of our opportunities when they come along. Although not for everyone, this fun, witty and insightful release is a pleasant way to spend a few enjoyable hours at the show.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

duanewilliams

Jul 16, 2019

Delightful movie with lots of philosophy references. It got applause from the audience I saw it with.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

netflic

Jun 10, 2019

It is a French Canadian crime thriller, loosely based on real events.

One of those movies that are pleasant to watch but then the more you think about important details the more you realize that things do not add up. I guess rules of the genre should apply, and I should not be thatIt is a French Canadian crime thriller, loosely based on real events.

One of those movies that are pleasant to watch but then the more you think about important details the more you realize that things do not add up.

I guess rules of the genre should apply, and I should not be that analytical.

But protagonist is a delivery guy with PhD in philosophy, who keeps quoting his favorite classics.
Which made me listen, think and disagree. Disagree on practically every aspect: the role of money in a society, the race and class approach, and most of all, common sense situations.

Movie-making was quite decent with good directing and performances.

Overall, the film is OK to watch but do not expect to be overwhelmed.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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