SnoopyStyle It's 17 years after Denys Arcand's "The Decline of the American Empire" and this is a continuing story of these characters. Leftist Rémy (Rémy Girard) is in an overcrowded Montreal hospital. His estranged capitalistic son Sébastien returns from London to manipulate Quebec's healthcare system. Rémy is joined by his friends and family as they renew their chemistry. A TV commentator refers 9/11 as maybe the beginning of the great barbarian invasions. Sébastien gets his father sent to an American hospital and finally back to the cottage.It is a man in the twilight of his life having one final good times. Some say that your life flashes before your eyes. This is one long series of flashes. It is fun and unexpected. It is smart and feels like a good time with old friends. The old footage of pass goddesses is good for the cinephiles. There is also a sense of the changing world. I do like the older folks hanging out together more than the new younger additions. It's a great reunion.

Syl The Barbarian Invasions film isn't anything that I was prepared for. The cast is superb and entirely French Canadian so I don't know anybody. They are very realistic in their performances as the friends and family come together to celebrate the life of Professor Remy Girard before he leaves them all. The film is a classic ensemble piece of great acting, directing, and writing. Still, Remy has to come to terms with his life and inevitable death. He is reunited with his ex mistresses, friends including a gay couple, his son and daughter-in-law, and his understanding ex-wife. I loved Dorothee Berryman's performance as Louise, his ex wife. The mistresses are also well-performed by veteran French Canadian actresses Louise Portal and Dominique Michel. The film has it's humor although dark but worth it. The friends and family are there to celebrate his life and will mourn his loss inevitably. The film is also an indictment on the Canadian health care system and it's failures as well as illegal drug use and euthanasia or dying with dignity as is the case. The film also suggests life's meaning especially Remy's legacy. The conversation can be offensive and critical of life in general. What is the best to follow and live?

human2 I didn't really have a good impression of this picture so I didn't see it even if it won an Oscar for "Best Foreign Film". I expected the usual boring low-budget story of the guy on his deathbed whom family come remembering tearfully the good times of the past in flashback. Personally I preferred the movie French-Canadian filmmaker Denys Arcand made in 2008 following that one, "L'Age des Ténèbres", which I've seen at least 4 times at a local cinema. But this one is definitely among the best to come out of the city of Montreal. It's a completely fictional story but even I don't think I should be put to sleep, there's still things I would want to do with my life (the question would be more if any pain I may have to endure would make it worthwhile), somehow I relate to the sick father who accept the inevitability of death and accept it the day his family begin injecting him heroin illegally. I think everybody have to see it to make himself an idea, there's not much more to say without giving away spoilers except that it's really entertaining and there's not much risks of being bored watching it...

Gordon-11 This film is about the final days of a socialist professor, whose life is invaded by a multitude of people, events and emotions.The script is strong. It is able to portray so many ideas in a short amount of time. In just the first few minutes, we are able to witness a bad health care system, the power of money and an estranged family relationship. I think what is the most powerful about the movie is that it critiques how our values have changed. It is shocking and almost disgusting to see that humanity has deteriorated to the point where we visit dying friends solely because of a financial incentive. Friendship and happiness certainly does not come cheap. Fortunately for Remy, he does not know this sad fact, and he lets happiness invade his remaining invaded body. The ending is touching and affecting. It is a great film, and it stimulates me to find the film before this one.