Quebec writer/director Denis Arcand’s last of film of the trilogy, L’ÂGE DES TENEBRES (English title – DAYS OF DARKNESS) once again dissects wickedly contemporary life.  Though dwelling on this similar theme as LE DECLIN DE L’EMPIRE AMERICAIN and the Oscar Winning LES INVASIONS BARBARES, L’ÂGE DES TENEBRES stands pretty much on its own as the most satirical and nasty of the lot.  The laughter and tears are noticeably missing.

The film centres on an everyday John Doe, in this case Jean-Marc (Marc Labreche) a government employee and family guy – but unsuccessful in all fields.  He is a terrible husband, father and worker.  His wife, Sylvie (Sylvie Leonard) finally leaves him for Toronto.  But Jean-Marc copes (not too well) by speed dating, caring for his poor dying mother and fantasizing about his sexual prowess.

Arcand’s film is effective in getting the message across.  The trouble is that his satire is neither funny nor entertaining.  The set-ups are detailed and often bitingly wicked, but actor Lebreche and director Arcand do not know how to do satire as in successful films like BRAZIL or KAFKA.  The end result is a film in which the audience fails to care or relate to the protagonist and ultimately for the rather painful movie either.  Watching the film is like being tortured like Jean-Marc in the court jousting segment.  But at least he had armour to wear.