I expected great things from this (watched it the other night), as normally I like movies in which people talk at length in French and not much really happens. I think this movie attempts to address big questions about life–how to live it to its fullest (be a professorial old bore and have lots of mistresses, or be a professorial old bore’s mistress), and how to deal with approaching death (heroin’s your best option) and other invading barbarians (such as terrorists and people who prefer video games to books). But I couldn’t entirely get past the sense that it was really about how crap a national health service is, and how great it is to have lots of money (or a son with lots of money).
On the other hand I still mildly enjoyed it, for its, erm, unhurried pace, and its various small deceptions and complexities, such as the students being paid to tell the teacher they missed him, and the attraction between the risk management professional and the heroin addict. But is this like admitting to having enjoyed The Big Chill?
He got the Big Chill part from me. It was like watching the French Intellectual’s Big Chill. For me, not so much.
Yes, it was shite really. I was trying to be generous, at the same time as stealing Nikki’s Big Chill comment.
I am a bore but not yet a professor. Can I get some tail now?
I have yet to see this. I recall liking “Decline of the American Empire,” way back in my undergrad days, but all I really recall from it is a deep philosophical conversation between a masseuse and a guy on a table receiving a happy ending. In the tradition of our website’s facilitator, I shall comment on this sequel.
Frisoli deserves some bore tail. Some ennui action.
I just feel bad for the Quebecois, so I might rent it. But I’ll hate it. My favorite French-Canadian film is “Pouvoir Intime.” Good luck trying to find it anywhere.
I am surprised at the easy write-off of this film by all of you. First of all, for it to have been even somewhat like The Big Chill, Kevin Costner would have had to die slowly of cancer throughtout the entire thing (appealing, I grant you) instead of not even appearing in the film.
Yeah, the film does try to tackle the big questions: What is a good life? How does one deal with one’s own mortality? How do you deal with a friend or family member’s fast approaching death? And maybe most interestingly; What if you really don’t like that friend or family member who is dying? I was kind of excited that there was a movie that wanted to deal with these things, and did it without a Sarah McLachlan song during the key forgiveness scene.
I think that the film wants to deal with the socialism vs. capitalism battle – and the father and son’s disillusionment with the side each has chosen, but I ignored that political layer of the film, and just basked in glorious thoughts of death! Seriously, I also like movies where not much happens, and big questions get batted around, and this is a fine one.
I recall disliking Love & Human Remains, and Decline Of the American Empire, but really liking Jesus of Montreal for some reason. I like Canadian filmmakers; particularly Egoyan and Guy Maddin, and I think even if you dislike the film it’s well written, well acted and doesn’t take easy ways out.
surfing through past blogs and just wanted to say that this movie is one of simon’s all-time favorite. since he won’t speak for himself, i’ll speak for him. (and no silly sexist jokes please).
I’m surprised Simon didn’t refuse to see it.
I don’t know Simon – Or Gio – but I’d love for either of them to chime in in defense of this film. I still think of it sometimes, and liked it a lot when I saw it. As I said many moons ago, I was surprised at how it seemed to have been dismissed on this board, though I know Reynolds used to say he liked the filmmaker. Who was it? Arcand?
yeah, Arcand–
I liked Decline and Fall, but my favorite is Jesus of M; I still haven’t seen this one, but it is in my triple-digit netflix queue. I’m in Ireland.
Hey, was that JFK citation thing a zing? Howell, you bastard!
This is how bad it was: I couldn’t even remember having seen it. But Pete says I was there.
What I liked about Barbarian Invasions was this sense of finding, or rather creating a niche, an ivory tower, in which to preserve the cultivated ways from, well, the barbarian invasions. It was about the value of otium, about being patrician amidst the (equivalent of) the fall of the Roman empire. So yes, it was also about the indignities of national health and how good it is to have lots of money. It was a testament to the Aristotelian virtue of megaloprepeia (often translated as “magnificence”, but this doesn’t quite get right the way in which it is the mean between niggardliness and vulgarity).
Simon and Lil’ Pony share the same blog address (a very nony mouse). Yet there is no Simon in the list of contributors at said blog . . . hmmm.
the simon on a very nonny mouse is simsby. a very nonny mouse, as the title indicates (get it?) is an anonymous blog. gio is jonie v. li’l pony is li’l pony. that is his real name.
gio, perhaps if there’s an excess of women on that blog you could take jeff off our hands to balance out the gender equation on both blogs?