Gary Dretzka
Leonard Klady
David Poland
Ray Pride
Patricia Vidal

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I caught the opening night film, The Barbarian Invasions, in Los Angeles. I wish I could say it was a thriller. It’s not. The shortcut description is that it is deadly Canadian.

The story is based around a dying man and his estranged son, who comes home to do everything he can to reconnect with his father and to offer him every possible comfort. The tale opens up all kind of character relationships and insights. But for me, what was missing was any real passion. Denys Arcand keeps telling up that the characters had wild pasts and free spirits. But the movie seems to be gathering all that passion in an unseen colostomy bag.

What are “The Barbarian Invasions?” There are many possibilities offered up. And none have a complete case made on their barbaric behalf.

The performances are uniformly excellent and Arcand’s taste in eye candy remains near perfect. But the movie has the emotional build of a strip club where the women start naked and put on their clothes. Oh baby, I love when you don’t reveal anything!

I don’t mind movies that challenge viewers to do the work, to suss out the subtext. Not here. The pieces are there. A little emotional aggression from a dying guy who hangs out with two of his lovers and his wife, all of whom freely discuss his oral needs. Still… no bang, all buck. Eh?

by David Poland

Les Invasions barbares
(The Barbarian Invasions)
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Director: Denys Arcand
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Country: Canada/France
Year: 2003
Time: 99 minutes
Film Types: Colour/35 mm

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Production Company: Cinémaginaire Inc./Pyramide Productions
Producer: Denise Robert, Daniel Louis
Screenplay: Denys Arcand
Cinematography: Guy Dufaux
Editor: Isabelle Dedieu
Production Designer: François Séguin
Sound: Patrick Rousseau, Marie-Claude Gagné, Michel Descombes, Gavin Fernandes
Music: Pierre Aviat
Principal Cast: Rémy Girard, Stéphane Rousseau, Marie-Josée Croze, Marina Hands, Dorothée Berryman, Johanne Marie Tremblay, Pierre Curzi, Yves Jacques, Louise Portal, Dominique Michel