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Crime comedy

The Fall of the American Empire (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Fall of the American Empire (2019) movie poster

The Fall of the American Empire is a 2019 crime comedy directed by Denys Arcand, starring Alexandre Landry as Pierre-Paul Daoust, Rémy Girard and Maripier Morin. It runs 2 hours 7 minutes and earned $4.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
60%
worldwide gross
$4.1M
Echo Score
64
Metascore
55
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The Fall of the American Empire (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 7m (127 min)
Director
Denys Arcand
Genres
Comedy , Crime
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Fall of the American Empire About?

The premise of The Fall of the American Empire without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

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.

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Cast & crew

The Fall of the American Empire Cast & Characters

Alexandre Landry leads the cast as Pierre-Paul Daoust, with Rémy Girard as Sylvain 'The Brain' Bigras and Maripier Morin as Aspasie, Camille Lafontaine. Directed by Denys Arcand; 21 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Fall of the American Empire

· 17 more
Show all 21 cast members
From the director

More from Denys Arcand

More films directed by Denys Arcand, best-rated first: The Barbarian Invasions, The Decline of the American Empire, An Eye for Beauty and Stardom.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Fall of the American Empire Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Fall of the American Empire 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in story & flow (55).

64 /100

The Fall of the American Empire Echo Score Breakdown

The Fall of the American Empire delivers a mixed experience with notable stylistic ambition amid uneven narrative execution. While its visual presentation and philosophical undertones earned praise for showcasing Montreal and stimulating reflection, critiques point to a lack of suspenseful momentum and uneven tonal shifts. Character portrayals draw both commendation for ensemble sincerity and criticism for a flat central performance. Sensory elements stand out visually, even as sound and music take a backseat. Overall, the film offers sporadic engagement tempered by structural and pacing inconsistencies.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the film balances proficient visual composition with occasional directorial missteps. Critics noted instances where the creator’s affinity for his protagonist led to indulgent sequences, while user responses highlighted the careful framing of Montreal landscapes and competent camera work. Editing choices support measured pacing though some scenes feel protracted. Overall, the production exhibits solid technical competence tempered by uneven stylistic decisions.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances received contrasting assessments, blending earnest sincerity with periods of flat affect. Some reviewers found the lead’s portrayal lacking vitality and comic spark, yet audience feedback praised the chemistry among the supporting cast and the film’s insightful reflections on morality and greed. The ensemble’s interactions offer moments of warmth and realism even as depth varies across figures. Ultimately, the cast achieves moderately engaging emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative alternates between brisk, humorous digressions and convoluted passages that undermine coherence. Several critics pointed to a lack of suspense and structural clarity, while others admired the film’s witty social commentary and galloping pace in key segments. User impressions noted thoughtful philosophical threads alongside logical gaps that invite debate. In summary, the plot engages intermittently but is hampered by uneven pacing and occasional narrative disjunctions.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, the film presents a cohesive visual style characterized by understated color palettes and clear, crisp cinematography. While critics seldom addressed sound design or music, audience comments underscore a fitting soundtrack that complements the on-screen action without overwhelming it. Visual cohesion remains a strong suit even as audio elements play a secondary role. Overall, the sensory presentation is appealing and coherent, contributing positively to the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When considering rewatch value, the film’s thematic richness and philosophical references encourage a second viewing to appreciate nuanced dialogue and character dynamics. Some viewers specifically recommend revisiting the movie to catch subtleties lost during an initial subtitled watch. Nevertheless, mixed critiques regarding structural flaws and tonal imbalance may limit widespread replay appeal. In sum, the movie holds modest rewatch potential, primarily for audiences drawn to its intellectual layers.

Plot

The Fall of the American Empire Plot Summary

What happens in The Fall of the American Empire from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Pierre-Paul Daoust, despite holding a PhD in philosophy, finds himself working as a delivery man to make ends meet, convinced that his intellect might be too great to lead him to success. One day, while making a delivery in the bustling city of Montreal, he unexpectedly becomes a witness to a robbery that culminates in a deadly shootout. As the chaos unfolds, he spots two gym bags overflowing with millions of dollars in cash left unguarded on the ground. In a rush, he seizes the opportunity, grabs the bags, and pushes them into his delivery truck just moments before the police arrive to question him as a bystander.

Full summary

The whole story of The Fall of the American Empire, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Fall of the American Empire Box Office

The Fall of the American Empire grossed $4.1 million worldwide. $2.2 million came from the US and Canada and $1.9 million (47%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.1M

US & Canada
$2.2M
International
$1.9M
US & Canada 53% Rest of the world 47%
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Fall of the American Empire?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What profession does Pierre-Paul Daoust have?

Details

The Fall of the American Empire Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Le triomphe de l'argent” and “미제국의 추락”.

Also known as
  • Le triomphe de l'argent
  • 미제국의 추락
  • Падение американской империи
  • La chute de l'empire américain
  • Как отмыть миллион
  • A Queda do Império Americano
  • Падіння американської імперії
  • 美利堅係咁先
  • 衰落美利坚
  • La caída del imperio americano
  • La caduta dell'impero americano
  • Η Πτώση της Αμερικανικής Αυτοκρατορίας
+6 more
  • Der unverhoffte Charme des Geldes
  • La caiguda de l’imperi americà
  • Upadek amerykańskiego imperium
  • Падането на американската империя
  • נפילת אימפריית הכסף
  • 金錢性騙局

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FAQ

The Fall of the American Empire FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Fall of the American Empire, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Fall of the American Empire?

The Fall of the American Empire runs 2 hours 7 minutes (127 minutes).

When was The Fall of the American Empire released?

The Fall of the American Empire was released on May 31, 2019.

Who directed The Fall of the American Empire?

The Fall of the American Empire was directed by Denys Arcand.

More films by Denys Arcand

Who is in the cast of The Fall of the American Empire?

The Fall of the American Empire stars Alexandre Landry as Pierre-Paul Daoust, Rémy Girard as Sylvain 'The Brain' Bigras and Maripier Morin as Aspasie, Camille Lafontaine, among 21 credited actors.

How much did The Fall of the American Empire make at the box office?

The Fall of the American Empire grossed $4.1 million worldwide ($2.2 million domestic, $1.9 million international).

How is The Fall of the American Empire rated?

The Fall of the American Empire has 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic, 65% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Fall of the American Empire have a post-credit scene?

No. The Fall of the American Empire has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Fall of the American Empire in?

The original language of The Fall of the American Empire is French.

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