Review of Forget Paris (2012) by Patrick F — 28 Nov 2008

Very few Romantic Comedies, are funny and romantic. But "Forget Paris" is one of those few.

The movie stars Billy Crystal, in another very funny story, plays Mickey Gordon, an NBA referee, and Debra Winger plays Ellen, who works an office position for an Airport in Paris.

The story is actually told by Mickey's best friend, a sportwriter played by Joe Mantegna, who is having dinner with his fiancee, awaiting his friends, including Mickey. And he tells the story to her, with help from his friends, who all know Mickey & Ellen.

This isn't your typical foumulaic film, where boy meets girl, boy loses girl, due to some secret and some fight because of there differences, and than wins her back by doing something incredibly romantic.

Mickey meets Ellen under weird circumstances, and the two just seem to hit it off while enjoying each other's company in Paris. Billy Crystal's character as a wisecracking referee, isn't much different from many others he plays, but he's just good at playing a guy who has a good sense of humor.

They meet trials that real people meet, not something that a movie producer thought of. One of the funniest scenes is when Ellen's senial father (hilariously played by William Hickey) moves in, and Mickey is left alone with him.

We see there relationship, marriage and love for each other progress, and they're constantly tested, and it's one interesting thing after another which takes place. Some scenes are a little silly, but they recovered, merely because I found them funny.

Billy Crystal has a knack for this type of character, and Debra Winger is also really good at playing a down to earth woman, without being too bland.

Also, the supporting cast of there friends, Mantegna, John Spencer, Cathy Moriarity, Richard Mazur & Julie Kavner, all do very well in there roles, in telling the story.

The way things happen at the end of the movie, was actually really well done, and it took a formula scene, and made it into something a little more original.

The movie made me laugh due to the charm of both the characters, and how the deal with the situations. It's honesty and tenderness is what moves the jokes along, not the script.