Description
In PARIS, JE T'AIME, celebrated directors from around the world, including the Coen Brothers, Gus Van Sant, Gurinder Chadha, Wes Craven, Walter Salles, Alexander Payne and Olivier Assayas, have come together to portray Paris in a way never before imagined. Made by a team of contributors as cosmopolitan as the city itself, this portrait of the city is as diverse as its creators' backgrounds and nationalities. With each director telling the story of an unusual encounter in oe of the city's neighborhoods, the vignettes go beyond the 'postcard' view of Paris to portray aspects of the city rarely seen on the big screen. Racial tensions stand next to paranoid visions of the city seen from the perspective of an American tourist. A young foreign worker moves from her own domestic situation into her employer's bourgeois environs. An American starlet finds escape as she is shooting a movie. A man is torn between his wife and his lover. A young man working in a print shop sees and desires another young man. A father grapples with his complex relationship with his daughter. A couple tries to add spice to their sex life. These are but a few of the witty and serendipitous narratives that make up PARIS, JE T'AIME.Amazon.com
Even with the impressive talent involved, Paris, je t'aime could've ended up like a fallen soufflé. Though all 18 films aren't equally successful, they hit the mark more often than not. Romantics anticipating happy love stories set amongst the City of Lights may be disappointed to find that many are quite sad and that some parts of Paris are less inviting than others (each takes place in a different district). Further, the shorts aren't all en Français, since the actors and directors hail from around the world, but their outsider perspectives lend the project depth. The strongest entries are provided by Gurinder Chadha (Quais De Seine), Gus Van Sant (Le Marais), Oliver Schmitz (Place des Fêtes), and Alexander Payne (14ème Arrondissement), but all find interesting ways to explore cultural misunderstandings. In Joel and Ethan Coen's tragic-comic Tuileries, tourist Steve Buscemi angers a couple simply by making eye contact. Like Miranda Richardson in Isabelle Coixet's heartbreaking Bastille, he does all his acting with his expressive face. And while Maggie Gyllenhaal speaks the language adroitly in Olivier Assayas's intriguing Quartier des Enfants Rouges, Nick Nolte (purposefully) mangles it in Alfonso Cuarón's surprisingly weak Parc Monceau. The anthology ends with Payne's audio-postcard, in which Margo Martindale's postal carrier narrates her vacation in awkward, but endearing French. Instead of another person, she falls in love with Paris, simply for allowing her to be herself. It's the perfect finish to a poignant repast, like strawberries dipped in chocolate--sweet, but not cloyingly so. --Kathleen C. FennessyAlso Recommended...
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BAD COMMUNICATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!0 out of 0 people found this review helpful:
Paris Je T'aime1 out of 1 people found this review helpful:
the misses tainted this film for me0 out of 1 people found this review helpful:
Odd but still valuable.1 out of 1 people found this review helpful:
C'est MagnifiqueThis review is dedicated to mon amie Elizabeth.
This is a really good film (especially if you are studying French). It is an interesting series of short (5-10 minute) stories that all take place in Paris.
Unfortunately, some (like the brutal beating at the subway) are on the stupid side. But others are sweet and romantic. (Such as where the ghost of Oscar Wilde helps save the love of a couple that may split up.)
One has a subtle comedy in where a drug dealer is especially helpful to a client. (Escorting her to an ATM, protecting her while she gets the money, and then having a drink with her to make change.)
Then there are some especially funny episodes such as where Ben Gazarra is arguing with his soon to be x wife.
The Natalie Portman one has a realism in that sometimes people have their romantic moments, but then break apart without rhyme nor reason.
And then there are some rather profound ones where a woman is dealing with the death of her young son, but then has her faith restored with the help of the horseman William Defoe.
And then there is a rather touching story where an older woman who wanted to go to Paris finally gets her chance, and then spends her days reflecting on her past life and lost opportunities. But still she finds joy in that she has fallen in love with Paris, and she feels Paris has fallen in love with her.
Also, if you are studying French, this film is a great way to pick up some of the French that you are not normally taught in text books.
Unfortunately, some stories seem to be an annoying intrusion. But there are enough wonderful skits with varied tones to make the film really great.
This is a real 'must' if you are studying French.
Listmania!
- Great French (or pseudo-French) Films
- Favorite Romantic Films
- My obsession with all things French
- Films Set In France
- Foreign films that won't put you to sleep
- WILLEM DEFOE (a partial history) II
- World Travel Inspirational Books & Movies - list in Progress
- The Best Modern Foreign Films
- My Very Favorite Films
- French films and French-themed films