For those who prefer their larcenous high jinks leavened by a serious social conscience, this ebullient romp is just the ticket.

| Mar 24, 2020

If it feels like everyone's a tool in a script instead of an engaging person, that's because that's the case.

| Jan 17, 2020

I love the way [director Denys] Arcand blends different genres. This is satire, a romance and also a thriller.

| Oct 1, 2019

...a thoughtful, good-hearted film full of unexpected turns, that has something in particular to say and it says it in a gentler, subtler way than most social satires might.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Aug 5, 2019

Arcand ends up overextending the crime-movie motif by trying to fashion a sedate tale about morality, which is an interesting premise, but this flatly acted heap of malaise doesn't do the idea justice.

| Jul 26, 2019

Sure you've seen a lot of this before, but Arcand and the cast manage to give it a fresh and interesting spin.

| Original Score: B- | Jul 15, 2019

There are bigger incongruities around the corner... that bury the film's credibility.

| Original Score: C | Jul 13, 2019

Liked everything abut this movie from its crafty actors to its crazy plot. Maripier Morin and Alexandre Landry are stars of tomorrow.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jul 11, 2019

The Fall of the American Empire sets up, however halfheartedly, a classic premise about sex, greed and crime. Unfortunately, the film never gets us to care about the characters, who seem to only talk in plot points and themes.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 11, 2019

Arcand's message is as blatant as his heist plot is subtle, and perhaps that's the point.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 11, 2019

There are some sweet moments in the film, and a couple of extremely violent ones, quite frankly, not enough to earn the film's R rating. But overall, the movie is just a question mark.

| Original Score: C | Jul 8, 2019

"The Fall of the American Empire" does only one thing well: fall apart. Gracelessly. Stupidly. And without a shred of self-awareness.

| Jul 8, 2019

Even at a slightly too long two hours plus, the well-acted, unconventional (albeit flawed) escapade has more on its mind than most heist films. I do wish it had more effectively presented its arguments.

| Jul 1, 2019

[The Fall of the American Empire] is at its best depicting a certain optimism in the face of all these malicious and random forces.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 27, 2019

A provocative, witty and captivating crime thriller for adults. It's a great antidote to all of the loud, dumb and shallow blockbuster films.

| Original Score: 8.45/10 | Jun 26, 2019

See it and be surprised and amused.

| Original Score: 4 | Jun 25, 2019

The key to the movie's success is the dexterity with which Arcand has folded his socially conscious message with witty caper comedy, even if the darker elements aren't always a perfect fit.

| Original Score: B | Jun 24, 2019

Denys Arcand once again explores society's downfall in a tale about greed, corruption, and extravagance. The crime caper is reminiscent of an Ocean's film as the thieves make it look easy.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 23, 2019

Audiences (myself included) have an insatiable appetite for caper movies, but while trying to justify itself as a social critique, The Fall of the American Empire too often fizzles.

| Jun 21, 2019

This often well-acted and intriguing blend of caper and commentary comes off as forced and heavy-handed, scoring obvious points without offering anything particularly new. Heck, there's even a hooker with a heart of gold.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jun 20, 2019