#TIFF18: “THE FALL OF AN AMERICAN EMPIRE” REVIEW

Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

There is a common thread throughout all the movies that Oscar-winning Quebec Writer/Director Denys Arcand puts his unique stamp on: the characters are well-read, intelligent to a fault and socially conscious. THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE is no different.

Pierre-Paul (Alexandre Landry) is a shy, academic and socially awkward delivery truck driving young man who spends his money and time helping the homeless living in Montreal. When he accidentally arrives at the tail end of a robbery and massacre, he spies on two huge bags, filled to the brim with cash, totalling in the millions, and stashes them in his truck. After a dalliance with Montreal’s most expensive escort, Aspasie (newcomer Maripier Morin) and meeting-up with a recently released from jail ex-biker who is a financial wizard (a ponytailed Remy Girard), the Trio devise a plan on how to best use this money to benefit the disenfranchised. All the while, they are being pursued by the police and assassins trying to recover the money. THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE is a sly and insightful indictment on how money rules everything.

THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE screens Thursday, September 6, 6:00 PM, Elgin Theatre and Friday, September 7, 9:45 AM, TIFF Bell Lightbox.