Denys Arcand's award-winning, hilarious and satirical comedy features many of the same cast and characters from his 2003 film The Barbarian Invasions. Made 17 years earlier, The Decline of the American Empire is a witty and provocative look at the battle of the sexes. Four men gather at a country retreat to prepare a gourmet supper, while in the city their female companions are working out at a health club. Both groups discuss their sex lives, affairs and seduction techniques and when they finally meet for dinner, the knives are out, revelations are made and an uncomfortable night is in store.