Les arcandiers Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?

What Happens at the End of Les arcandiers?

In this surreal comedy, Tonio works very hard for every bit of ill-gotten cash he can get his hands on, but he remains a poor criminal in both senses of the word. He and his buddies Bruno and Hercule think they have the solution to their pocketbook woes. The body of St. Bernadette has been miraculously preserved from decay and is a central object of pilgrimage in the shrine where it is kept. Why not steal that and hold it for ransom? The criminal gang is well able to pull this coup off and are soon in possession of one perfectly preserved corpse and a very fancy coffin. It's too bad for them that the church seems to have a limitless supply of these and doesn't want the one they stole back. Bemused, the lads set the coffin adrift on the river, only to be followed by it as they drive back upriver. In the course of carrying out their criminal designs, these lovable lugs encounter a variety of eccentric characters.

Manuel Sanchez's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Simon de La Brosse (Tonio)'s journey. He and his buddies Bruno and Hercule think they have the solution to their pocketbook woes.

How Does Simon de La Brosse (Tonio)'s Story End?

• Simon de La Brosse: Simon de La Brosse's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Manuel Sanchez delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 35m runtime.
• Dominique Pinon (Bruno): Dominique Pinon's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Géraldine Pailhas (Véronique / Bernadette Soubirous): Géraldine Pailhas's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of Les arcandiers Mean?

Les arcandiers concludes with Manuel Sanchez reinforcing the drama themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Simon de La Brosse leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.