The Barbarian Invasions

The Barbarian Invasions - ***1/2

Last year's Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language film, "The Barbarian Invasions" is a smartly written heartwarmer, probably the best thing to come out of Quebec since Guy Lafleur. It is written and directed by revered Canadian filmmaker Denys Arcand (Stardom) and stars Rémy Girard (a two time Genie Award Winner) and Stéphane Rousseau as a father and son reunited when father Rémy is hospitalized. As his death begins to appear inevitable, Sébastien decides it best to make his father's final days as enjoyable as possible, and flies Rémy's friends into Quebec to say their drawn out goodbyes. Plenty of the plot follows son Sébastien's efforts, but the group of friends assembled in this Montreal hospital are also examined in detail. This film is extremely well written and it is because of this that the movie is very entertaining despite the characters not being remotely relatable. The group of friends are an elite bunch of intellectuals whose dialogue is remarkably scholarly, and if it weren't for the poignant shots at the lives these people lead, any viewer might come away from the film slightly soured. As it stands, this is a truly touching story of a father and son's love, and asks some stimulating questions about the meaning of life. Thumbs up; a must see for anyone looking to be slightly less embarassed by Canada's film industry.