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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Film Review
Monday 04 June @ 11:14:29 |
 Paris Je T'aime
by ERIK McCLANAHAN
An enjoyable but different cinematic experience, Paris Je T’aime (Paris, I love you) is essentially what the title promises: a love letter to the most revered of romantic cities, a city also known for its strong cinematic history (most notably in the French New Wave of the 60’s, an era that continues to inspire present-day filmmakers). The collection of directors—eighteen in all—is an impressively eclectic one, showcasing some of modern cinema’s most talented filmmakers. Minnesota natives Joel and Ethan Coen (Fargo, The Big Lebowski), whose new film No Country for Old Men received high praise at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and will be released late November, contribute with a strong and amusing effort here.
The film is the cinematic equivalent of a compilation album; every artist contributes their take on love, and everything else that comes with that, with every chapter set in the titular city. Some chapters are funny, dramatic, sad, touching or bizarre, while others achieve minor storytelling brilliance. Anthology films have been done well (1995’s Four Rooms and 1983’s Twilight Zone: the Movie), poorly (the horror collection Creepshow) and brilliantly (Asian horror collection Three… Extremes). For the most part, Paris Je T’aime is a unique and satisfying experience, with only a few mediocre segments.
Montmartre – dir. Bruno Podalydes
A quaint story about a French man looking for a parking spot who in the process manages to meet, and fall in love, with a woman in the process. Nothing too special, but it does get the film going on a decent note.
Quais De Seine – dir. Gurinder Chadha
A smart chapter about three young guys hanging out in the streets of Paris hitting on girls. Two of the boys are idiots, acting obnoxious, while the other boy avoids the pratfalls and meets an adorable Muslim girl—in a beautifully subtle moment—by helping her after a fall. Good commentary and romance here.
Les Marais – dir. Gus Van Sant
Van Sant’s (Good Will Hunting, Elephant) short is a clever tale about the possible meeting of two soul mates, with an amusing twist.
Tuileries – dir. Coen Brothers
Steve Buscemi never says a word, but manages to be quite hilarious nonetheless, in the Coens’ chapter about an American tourist (Buscemi) waiting for his train. He makes eye contact with a couple and the boyfriend becomes angry. Filled with the Coen brothers’ typical black humor to great effect.
Lion Du 16IEME - dir. Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas
A simple but quietly effective tale about a nanny (Oscar nominee Catalina Sandino Moreno) finding things to be symmetrical in her personal and work life. Looks great, and Moreno has an incredible screen presence.
Porte De Choisy – dir. Christoper Doyle
Easily the most bizarre entry in the film. Esteemed cinematographer Doyle (Infernal Affairs, Hero, 2046) directs this surreal story about a salesman entering a different kind of hair salon. Looks great, with Doyle’s predilection for explosive color prominent throughout.
Bastille – dir. Isabelle Coixet
Not bad. A man wants to leave his wife, only to fall back in love with her after finding out she has cancer.
Place Des dir. Victoires - Nobuhiro Suwa
Emotionally crushing short about a grieving mother (Juliette Binoche) wanting to see her dead son more than anything.
Tour Eiffel - Sylvain Chomet
My least favorite of all the shorts, mainly because it involves mimes falling in love.
Parc Monceau -- Alfonso Cuaron
Simple story, but shot beautifully in one long take by one of the best directors working today (Cuaron’s brilliant Children of Men was my favorite film last year). Nick Nolte appears.
Pigalle - Richard LaGravanese
An interesting look at an aging marriage, with a nice performance from Bob Hoskins. Becomes a sort of parable about acting and love.
Quartier Des Enfants Rouges - Olivier Assayas
Maggie Gyllenhal is an actress who falls for a drug dealer and gets stoned.
Place Des Fetes - Olivier Schmitz
Amazing, incredibly heartbreaking tale about, well I don’t want to ruin it.
Quartier De La Madeleine - Vicenzo Natali
Elijah Wood falls for a vampire in a overly-stylish, “Sin City”-style gothic love story.
Pere-Lachaise - Wes Craven
Craven (A Nightmare On Elm Street, Scream) seems like the odd man out here amongst the more accomplished directors. His is a ghost story of sorts, with a husband-to-be (Rufus Sewell) receiving some help for his future marriage.
Faubourg Saint-Denis - Tom Tykwer
A brilliant short story that encapsulates an entire romantic story arc in five minutes. Natalie Portman breaks up with her blind boyfriend over the phone, and we are plunged into his memories of their entire relationship. Then it ends on an even better note. Tom Tykwer (Run, Lola Run) uses time-lapse photography to great effect here, crafting a touching, ingenious tale of love.
Quartier Latin - Gerard Depardieu and Frederic Auburtin
Interesting short about an older couple in the midst of a divorce as they discuss their new lives with younger people. They trade barbs along the way. Unique in that you never see divorce handled like this in movies.
14TH Arrondissement - Alexander Payne
Oscar-winner Payne (Sideways) is one of America’s finest new filmmakers. This finale contains all of his usual mid-life irony and wit, as well as his ability to touch the audience in a tale about a lonely American woman confessing (in a hilariously awful French narration) her love for Paris.
Paris Je T’aime is now playing at the Edina Cinema, 3911 W. 50th St. For show times and other information call 651-649-4416 or go to the Landmark Theatres web site: www.landmarktheatres.com
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