After all the hype about violent and controversial historically-based pictures, the thought of a two-hour film called "The Barbarian Invasions" seemed more than one can handle. But, thankfully, writer/director Denys Arcand's Canadian/French collaboration isn't about murderous hordes after all.

Instead, it's a surprisingly warm, witty film about a terminally ill man dying of cancer in a Canadian hospital. As depressing as that sounds, "The Barbarian Invasions" -- in French with English subtitles -- doesn't drag viewers down.

In fact, the characters might seem familiar to some moviegoers. Arcand revisits the characters from his 1986 dram-edy "The Decline of the American Empire."

Instead, Remy (Remy Girard), a lecherous and divorced professor, is approaching the end by keeping a (mostly) positive outlook. He knows he's dying, but he's lived a happy, fulfilling life, excepting his relationship with his son Sebastien (Stephane Rousseau).

Sebastien, a high-flying London risk manager, flies home to be with his dad, despite their problems, and begins to throw his money around to help Remy get a better room and better care in an over-taxed Canadian health system hospital.

But he also takes some advice and assembles his father's best friends -- and former mistresses -- around his bed to help keep his spirits up during the difficult last days.

At the same time Sebastien and Remy slowly begin to find common ground and the former even does some things we wouldn't expect of someone like him. He gets the daughter of a friend to score heroin to help ease his father's pain.

When the whole group retires to a secluded lake house for Remy's final moments, a sort of "Big Chill" vibe takes over and despite the somber occasion, Remy and his friends are celebrating a life lived well rather than the end of that life.

The script is funny, touching and intelligent, with all manner of scholarly references befitting a film about a university professor. There is also more than a little irony, especially when it comes to a devout socialist who needs his devout capitalist son's money to get proper care in a bogged down socialized health system.

Tender and touching, it's sad to say that one may have to be of a certain age to fully appreciate "The Barbarian Invasions," even if the message is clear and universal. Most 20-year-olds will prefer something less concerned with the end of life.

"The Barbarian Invasions" opens Fri., March 5 at Landmark's Downer Theatre.