Trilobite

I just finished watching The Barbarian Invasions and think it probably deserves a spot somewhere in my top ten list. What I really liked about the film was Nathalie’s character, and not just because she was a heroin addict. (That was a joke, Mom.) I liked a lot of the same things about her that I liked about Renton from Trainspotting. They both made a mess of their lives but somehow figured out a way to solve their problems. In Renton’s case it meant doing something pretty despicable, but in doing so he managed to escape his current situation and start a new life. Nathalie also did something funny at the end of Barbarian Invasions, but what she did changed my opinion about one of the other characters in the movie.

The Barbarian Invasions dvds have two versions of the film: the full 112 minute version and the edited 98 minute version. The only thing I can imagine being edited out is the drug use and I can’t imagine how the movie could be even half as good without the contrast between the main characters and the “barbarians.” I’m curious to watch this 98 minute version, but I probably would just find it an annoying 98 minutes of snobs eating truffles and talking about art.

I’m going to have to rent some more Denys Arcand movies.