The Decline of the American Empire
A group of academics at the University of Montreal--most long time friends--plan to gather at the lakeside recreational home of Rémy and Louise, who have been together for 20 years, married for 15 of them, for dinner. Louise knows Rémy cheats on her, but believes he only does so when she is not around, which she accepts. Their recreational home is adjacent to many of the recreational homes of the others, who are: divorced Pierre and his much younger current girlfriend Danielle who is a student at the university; divorced mother Diane; independent-minded Dominque; single homosexual Claude; and graduate student Alain; While the four men prepare the dinner, the four women are working out together in the gym. The common factor between the two groups is the topic of conversation: sex, especially as it relates to themselves. But underlying each of the conversations is their own academic and intellectual backgrounds, which shapes the nature of the discussions. When the two groups finally converge for dinner, a ninth person is added peripherally, brusque working-class Mario, Diane's current sexual partner. This relationship is a first for Diane in that not only their sexual encounters but the way they interact with each other in general is predicated on S and M, dictated largely by Diane, the submissive. What happens with the group as dinner goes into evening and evening goes into morning is further shaped by them listening to a prerecorded interview Dominique did for CBC Radio earlier in the day to promote her new book, which discusses how the quest for individual happiness in modern western society is leading to the decline of the society in general.
Despite its small-scale budget of $1.8M, The Decline of the American Empire became a massive hit, earning $30.0M worldwide—a remarkable 1567% return. The film's unconventional structure attracted moviegoers, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 13 wins & 8 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Decline of the American Empire (1986) demonstrates deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Denys Arcand's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Four male academics exercise at a health club, discussing their intellectual pursuits and the history of civilizations. Their comfortable world of ideas and male camaraderie is established.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The conversations shift from theoretical discussion to personal confession. Characters begin revealing their actual affairs and betrayals, disrupting the facade of intellectual sophistication with raw emotional truth.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Secrets begin to surface at the dinner table. The playful intellectual banter gives way to pointed remarks and revelations that hint at real pain beneath the sophisticated facade. The mood shifts from celebration to tension., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Louise confronts Rémy directly about his affair with her friend. The veneer of civilized discourse completely shatters. The emptiness of their intellectual posturing is exposed - they've analyzed civilization's decline while enacting it in their personal lives., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The group makes an unspoken collective choice to continue despite the revelations. They don't flee or completely break - they accept the complexity and contradictions of their lives and relationships., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Decline of the American Empire's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping The Decline of the American Empire against these established plot points, we can identify how Denys Arcand utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Decline of the American Empire within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Four male academics exercise at a health club, discussing their intellectual pursuits and the history of civilizations. Their comfortable world of ideas and male camaraderie is established.
Theme
Dominique states that 'personal happiness has triumphed over moral and social values' - articulating the film's central thesis about modern decline through hedonism and self-absorption.
Worldbuilding
Two parallel tracks establish the ensemble: men at the gym discussing history and civilization, while women prepare food at a country house. Both groups engage in increasingly intimate revelations about their sex lives and infidelities.
Disruption
The conversations shift from theoretical discussion to personal confession. Characters begin revealing their actual affairs and betrayals, disrupting the facade of intellectual sophistication with raw emotional truth.
Resistance
The separate groups continue their confessions, each revelation more provocative. The women share stories of affairs while cooking; the men boast and compete while exercising. The audience debates whether honesty or discretion is better.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The dinner party unfolds with witty conversation, wine, and intellectual sparring. The group dynamics play out as promised - sophisticated academics discussing sex, history, and decline while hidden tensions and past affairs simmer beneath.
Midpoint
Secrets begin to surface at the dinner table. The playful intellectual banter gives way to pointed remarks and revelations that hint at real pain beneath the sophisticated facade. The mood shifts from celebration to tension.
Opposition
Conflicts intensify as characters confront each other about affairs and betrayals. Louise learns details about Rémy's infidelities. The intellectual distance collapses as emotional wounds are exposed. Past actions have present consequences.
Collapse
Louise confronts Rémy directly about his affair with her friend. The veneer of civilized discourse completely shatters. The emptiness of their intellectual posturing is exposed - they've analyzed civilization's decline while enacting it in their personal lives.
Crisis
The group sits in uncomfortable silence and scattered conversations. The party has dissolved into awkwardness and pain. Characters process the revelations and confront what their choices have cost them emotionally and morally.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The group makes an unspoken collective choice to continue despite the revelations. They don't flee or completely break - they accept the complexity and contradictions of their lives and relationships.
Synthesis
The evening winds down with a mixture of resignation and tenderness. Characters reach small reconciliations and understandings. They return to conversation, but with less pretense. The group remains intact, damaged but enduring.
Transformation
The group departs the country house. They remain connected despite everything revealed. The final image mirrors the opening but with awareness replacing innocence - they understand their complicity in the decline they theorized about.