The Fall of the American Empire

The Fall of the American Empire

Year: 2019

Runtime: 127 min

Language: French

Director: Denys Arcand

Echo Score: 64
ComedyCrime

A former philosophy professor now working as a deliveryman finds himself entangled in a dangerous situation when a robbery goes wrong, leaving a large sum of money within his reach. As the police investigation intensifies, he grapples with a difficult moral dilemma, questioning his own principles while contemplating the allure of keeping the stolen cash and facing the potential repercussions.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Fall of the American Empire (2019)

Trace every key event in The Fall of the American Empire (2019) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Pierre-Paul's Job

Despite his PhD in philosophy, Pierre-Paul Daoust struggles to make ends meet and takes a job as a delivery man. This ironic twist sets the stage for the events that are about to unfold in his life.

Montreal
2

Witnessing the Robbery

While making a delivery in the bustling city, Pierre-Paul inadvertently witnesses a robbery that escalates into a deadly shootout. The chaos leaves him stunned, but he soon notices two gym bags filled with cash left behind.

Montreal
3

Seizing the Opportunity

In a moment of impulse, Pierre-Paul grabs the bags overflowing with millions of dollars and stashes them in his delivery truck. He narrowly escapes police questioning as they arrive on the scene.

Montreal
4

Renting a Storage Locker

After the adrenaline rush fades, Pierre-Paul decides to rent a storage locker to securely hide the stolen cash. He also keeps a portion of the money hidden within his apartment, grappling with his new and dangerous reality.

Montreal
5

Learning About Sylvain Bigras

While watching the news, Pierre-Paul learns that Sylvain 'The Brain' Bigras is being released from prison. Intrigued by Bigras's background in finance, he contemplates seeking his help in managing the massive amount of cash he now possesses.

6

Meeting Bigras

When Pierre-Paul finally meets Bigras, he reveals the shocking truth about his cash windfall. Bigras quickly deduces that the money likely belongs to the notorious West End Gang, which raises the stakes of Pierre-Paul's situation significantly.

7

The Gang's Pursuit

Realizing their money is missing, the West End Gang begins to hunt down those involved in the heist. They resort to torturing gang member Jacmel for information, illustrating the violent lengths they're willing to go.

8

Contacting an Escort

Amid the chaos, Pierre-Paul seeks out an escort named Camille Lafontaine, who captivates him with her wit and charm. Their connection complicates his already treacherous situation, especially as her presence begins to attract the attention of local law enforcement.

Montreal
9

Police Investigation

Police officers Pete La Bauve and Carla McDuff arrive at Pierre-Paul's apartment to question him about Lafontaine. Their investigation creates tension, as they suspect his financial situation and the company he keeps.

Montreal
10

Bigras's Warning

Bigras warns Pierre-Paul against pursuing a relationship with Lafontaine, fearing for their safety. Despite the warning, Pierre-Paul insists they are merely friends, underestimating the danger they face.

11

Cash Goes Missing

Trouble arises when Pierre-Paul discovers that their storage locker is mysteriously emptied. Bigras has relocated the money to his own home, raising alarms and tensions between the two men.

12

Providing Protection

Learning of Jacmel's torture, Pierre-Paul disregards Bigras's warnings and decides to take action to protect him. His decision leads to further complications and risk as he gets deeper into the criminal underworld.

13

West End Gang's Hit

The West End Gang decides to hold banker Vladimir François accountable for the missing funds. A hit is put out on him, showcasing the gang's ruthless nature and the dangerous environment in which Pierre-Paul now resides.

14

Laundering the Money

Pierre-Paul enlists the help of Wilbrod Taschereau, an expert in tax evasion, to create a false charity for laundering the stolen money. The plan involves divvying up the funds while maintaining a façade of legitimacy.

15

Police Join the Cause

In a surprising turn of events, La Bauve and McDuff join Pierre-Paul and Lafontaine as volunteers at a charitable initiative supporting the homeless. Instead of arresting them, they begin discussing social issues, revealing a complexity in their understanding of justice.

The Street, Montreal

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 16:27

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Quirky Crime Comedies with Moral Questions like The Fall of the American Empire

Crime capers that mix moral dilemmas with social satire and wit.If you liked the blend of crime, comedy, and moral philosophy in The Fall of the American Empire, explore these movies. They feature similar stories of unlikely criminals, witty social commentary, and heists that make you think as much as they make you laugh.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a chaotic, high-stakes event like a robbery, but quickly shifts focus to the intellectual and moral fallout for the protagonists. Characters are often intellectually inclined or socially aware, leading to humorous and reflective debates about greed, inequality, and justice as they decide what to do with their ill-gotten gains.

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Movies in this thread share a unique balance: they present crime scenarios with genuine stakes, but filter them through a lens of comedy and social observation. The emotional weight remains light, prioritizing clever dialogue and character-driven dilemmas over grim violence or despair.

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When book-smart protagonists find themselves in a street-smart world.Find more movies like The Fall of the American Empire where cerebral heroes face criminal dilemmas. These films feature philosophers, academics, or thinkers who use their intellect to navigate dangerous plots, creating a unique blend of action and ideas.

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Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a character whose life of the mind is disrupted by a violent or criminal event. Their journey is one of applying abstract principles to concrete, high-stakes problems. The conflict often arises from the gap between their intellectual understanding of morality and the pragmatic demands of survival, leading to unexpected alliances and solutions.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their unique protagonist archetype and the central theme of intellect versus instinct. They share a cerebral, almost detached perspective on crime, where the internal moral debate is as compelling as the external threat, creating a distinctively thoughtful vibe within the crime genre.

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The Fall of the American Empire Summary

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The Fall of the American Empire Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Fall of the American Empire

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Fall of the American Empire. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Fall of the American Empire

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