Review of Paris Je T'aime (2006) by Khris N — 21 Mar 2010

This was on TV, and decided to watch it after years of procrastinating.

My bleeding loss. Welcome to Paris', city of love. I'm not really the type to watch these sort of films, but I guess my expectation of a tour of Paris intrigued me, and it is a tour... of Paris and the many people that inhabit it or visit it - all exploring one point of their lives where things go right, wrong or even crazy - Paris is a city of romance, mystery, fantasy and if you're not careful, horror.

An ensemble cast and directors combine to give us a unique take on the short story spin... this time 18, all based in different districts in Paris, themes of love and relationships with death and horror, dreams and fantasy, indifference, tragedy, racism, cultural and linguistic differences - so many issues protrayed in each segment divided by the many districts in Paris where a different story is set as according to the life within that district.

Since the movie is a blend of many different things, its really hard to define it... you really have to watch it for yourself. Think of it as a book of short stories of life in Paris, where there's something for everyone. My favourite segment is the Coen Bros. short with Steve Buscemi eyeing the paranoid lovers in the Paris subway, whch lead to tensions and shows racial conflict, with their style of dark humor and story telling which I found the most entertaining aspect - how can one NOT avoid seeing love manifesting in Paris?? Even though it could get you into a little trouble. XD.

Another segment worth mentioning, which is tragic, is Oliver Schmitz' piece, a dying man's last shot at love, while the woman of his dreams is trying to help him, not knowing how he really feels about her. A truth about love at first sight, it comes like a star shooting star, and disappears just as quickly, before it can manifest and become something much more?

Anyways, its tour book for all you hopeless romantics, poets and thinkers out there with a penchant for romance, puppy love and such... but on the flip side it does come with its own brooding dark side of love can be tainted or poisioned... or in one segment, reignited between two people.

A modern day visual tour book, I think. Anyways, New York I love you came out recently, and a few more are on their way, hopefully each with its own unique take on their respective cities, rather than a rehash of Paris.

Enjoy!!