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The Fall of the American Empire

Original title: La chute de l'empire américain
  • 2018
  • R
  • 2h 7m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
Maxim Roy, Maripier Morin, and Alexandre Landry in The Fall of the American Empire (2018)
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 take the money and run?
Play trailer1:59
2 Videos
29 Photos
ComedyCrimeDrama

A shy and insecure delivery truck driver accidentally arrives on the scene of a major crime and picks up two bags of cash and hides them. Only the help of a prostitute and a former biker rel... Read allA shy and insecure delivery truck driver accidentally arrives on the scene of a major crime and picks up two bags of cash and hides them. Only the help of a prostitute and a former biker released from jail might get him out of trouble.A shy and insecure delivery truck driver accidentally arrives on the scene of a major crime and picks up two bags of cash and hides them. Only the help of a prostitute and a former biker released from jail might get him out of trouble.

  • Director
    • Denys Arcand
  • Writer
    • Denys Arcand
  • Stars
    • Alexandre Landry
    • Maripier Morin
    • Rémy Girard
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    4.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Denys Arcand
    • Writer
      • Denys Arcand
    • Stars
      • Alexandre Landry
      • Maripier Morin
      • Rémy Girard
    • 29User reviews
    • 76Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:59
    Official Trailer
    Bande-annonce [OV]
    Trailer 2:03
    Bande-annonce [OV]
    Bande-annonce [OV]
    Trailer 2:03
    Bande-annonce [OV]

    Photos28

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    Top cast44

    Edit
    Alexandre Landry
    Alexandre Landry
    • Pierre-Paul Daoust
    Maripier Morin
    Maripier Morin
    • Aspasie…
    Rémy Girard
    Rémy Girard
    • Sylvain 'The Brain' Bigras
    Louis Morissette
    Louis Morissette
    • Pete La Bauve
    Maxim Roy
    Maxim Roy
    • Carla McDuff
    Pierre Curzi
    Pierre Curzi
    • Me Wilbrod Taschereau
    Vincent Leclerc
    Vincent Leclerc
    • Jean-Claude
    Patrick Abellard
    Patrick Abellard
    • Jacmel Rosalbert
    • (as Patrick Emmanuel Abellard)
    Florence Longpré
    Florence Longpré
    • Linda
    Eddy King
    Eddy King
    • Vladimir François
    Geneviève Schmidt
    Geneviève Schmidt
    • Nicole
    Paul Doucet
    Paul Doucet
    • Dr Pierre-Yves Maranda
    Denis Bouchard
    Denis Bouchard
    • Gilles Sainte-Marie
    Yan England
    Yan England
    • Jimmy
    David Savard
    David Savard
    • Steph
    Rose-Marie Perreault
    Rose-Marie Perreault
    • Natasha
    Alain Goulem
    Alain Goulem
    • Sean McDowell
    Catherine Paquin-Bechard
    Catherine Paquin-Bechard
    • Gemma
    • Director
      • Denys Arcand
    • Writer
      • Denys Arcand
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews29

    6.94.4K
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    Featured reviews

    9accerules

    Pure Denys Arcand

    If you liked what Denys Arcand did before you should like this movie. So first of all, I'm not a fan of the title, because it might hint that's it's a sequel to the "Déclin" which it is not. (Although Girard and Curzie play in both movies, but it's not the same characters.) They should have kept the original title "Triumph of Money". You will find in this movie very good dialogues, good action and a feel good sentiment at the end. There is a lot of cameos from various Quebec actors. Landry delivers a strong performance, his character, a very intelligent but naive man who seems to despise the world but who's always trying to help the poor and the disenfranchised. Morin is surprisingly good especially since I think it's her first role (and she's wonderfully pretty). Girard, who plays a biker that just got out of jail, is good as usual, (although I felt that some lines could have been from "Les Bougons") and of course I loved Curzie who's playing a crooked investment advisor. Personally, I think it might be my favorite Arcand so far. "Le Déclin" was funnier though. I strongly recommend this movie!
    6ferguson-6

    stealing from criminals

    French-Canadian filmmaker Denys Arcand won the Best Foreign Language Oscar for THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS (2003), and has gained a very loyal group of followers for his films. It should be noted that, despite the title, this is not a sequel or prequel to Arcand's 1986 film THE DECLINE OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE. This one is a comedy-crime drama that is as cynical as it is witty, and perhaps as much social commentary as satire. It's yet another rip on capitalism while showing that idealism can work wonders (at least if it's well funded). "Intelligence is a handicap." That's what Pierre-Paul Daoust (played by Alexandre Landry) tells his girlfriend as he breaks up with her in a café. When she points out that he's a delivery driver (similar to UPS), Pierre-Paul riffs on a number of famous writers and philosophers who he claims were dumb as rocks. Her inquiry into Trump being elected President leads to his conclusion, "imbeciles worship cretins". He is the kind of guy that has an answer for everything, and possesses a type of oratory expertise that makes his excuses sound like scientific explanations.

    One day while on his route, he stumbles into a robbery gone way wrong. Two thieves were in the process of stealing gang/mob money (and lots of it) when a shooting broke out. In the immediate aftermath, Pierre-Paul makes the snap decision to toss the two huge bags of cash into the back of his deliver truck and take off. This kicks off a chain of events that includes his crossing paths with Aspasie/Camille (Maripier Morin) a high dollar escort whose website features a quote from "Racine". Pierre-Paul is a Ph.D. in Philosophy, so he takes this as a sign.

    Shortly after, Pierre-Paul is meeting with Sylvain "the brain" (Arcand regular Remy Girard), a recently released from prison biker who has become an expert on money laundering. The three form an odd partnership and are followed wherever they go by a couple of police detectives. Camille introduces Sylvain and Pierre-Paul to Mr. Taschereau (Pierre Curzi), her dapper former lover who also happens to be the foremost authority on international tax evasion and high finance.

    The running joke here is that Pierre-Paul is an upright citizen who has never done anything remotely illegal in his life. In fact, he regularly doles out money to Quebec's homeless and those down on their luck. He also volunteers regularly at a shelter that feeds those in need. The obvious statement here is pointing out the great divide between the wealthy and the poor.

    Arcand's film is close to being very good, but falls short in too many areas to reach the height it desires. There is a torture scene that seems totally out of place compared to the tone of the rest of the film, and I refuse to make the link to PRETTY WOMAN - another film where the rich guy wins over the good-hearted sex worker. This film talks about "providence" and just rewards that rarely happen. Is it acceptable to do the wrong thing for the right reasons? Does doing good correct a wrong? Heck, is it even wrong to steal from criminals? What the film actually does is serve up obvious targets with no real solutions offered. The self-congratulatory ending with close-up shots of Quebec's homeless doesn't help.
    8chiaragiacobelli

    A sarcastic and real portrait of the society

    I went to watch this movie at the cinema sure that it was nothing special, but I hade to change my idea. The story of this weird and intelligent boy, who unexpectedly finds two bags full of money, is funny but also full of positive feelings and intents. The movie shows at the same time the worst and the best of our society, without forgetting a love story, friendship and charity. I think it is definitely a movie to watch.
    8stephbearca

    Arcand is back on track.

    The last Arcand's movie "Le règle de la beauté" (An Eye for Beauty) was a big disappointment from the man who gave us Decline of the American Empire, The Barbarian Invasions who won an Oscar, and Jesus of Montreal. In the first 5 minutes of the opening, you can feel that this will be good. Arcand is at his best when he has those witty dialogues. Sarcastic, just like he was in his best movies. The best guess of Arcand was to use Maripier Morin, whose is not an actress but a girl who started in reality TV shows. Well, she's good. With the right director and some talent, you can be good. She plays a high-class hooker, not in the typical way we usually see that role, but for her first major role, it's impressing. Alexandre Landry, the guy who ends up with the stollen money is a very good actor, hope we'd see him more often. The love interest between those two could be more convincing, this is the only problem with that script, hard to understand why she'd fall for him. Would have needed a few extra scenes to make it more believable. If you like Arcand's dialogue and criticism of the American Society, you will smile for 2 hours.
    8Henry_Seggerman

    deliciously amoral

    I loved this story of a way over-educated nerd who's filled with Marxist claptrap making a conscious decision to steal bagfuls of cash. Typical of Arcand, the film is very talky, but in a dry and deadpan way that is quite amusing. It's a funny version of Dostoevsky by way of Godard and Woody Allen.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Benoît Brière and Gaston Lepage reprise their roles from Joyeux Calvaire (1996), also directed by Denys Arcand.
    • Goofs
      There is no way a gangster who was in prison for money laundering or similar crimes would ever be allowed to take college courses in Business Finance.

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    FAQ

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 31, 2019 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Official sites
      • Cinémaginaire Inc. (Canada)
      • Filmcoopi Zürich (Switzerland)
    • Languages
      • French
      • English
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • Падіння американської імперії
    • Filming locations
      • Restaurant Délithèque, 2475 Boulevard Rosemont, Montréal, Québec, Canada(Linda breaks up with Pierre-Paul at the restaurant)
    • Production companies
      • Cinémaginaire Inc.
      • Téléfilm Canada
      • Société de Développement des Entreprises Culturelles (SODEC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • CA$6,900,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,178,460
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $338,216
      • Jul 1, 2018
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,110,928
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 7 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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