Dirty Money

Roland and Berth welcome Roland’s successful uncle, Arthur, but the financial gift he offers disappoints Berth. Angered, Arthur leaves without leaving a penny. Fueled by jealousy and resentment, the couple takes drastic action, triggering a chain of escalating consequences. In his debut film, Denys Arcand (best known for The Decline of the American Empire) already reveals his signature mastery: complex, ambiguous relationships, precise cinematic control, a forgiving stance on crime, and sharp, unemotional irony. His camera maintains a detached gaze, capturing events in long, deliberate takes. Dialogue fades midway, giving way to a tense narrative rollercoaster where money becomes an all-consuming obsession, erasing emotion, morality, and duty.