Review of Paris Je T'aime (2006) by Salman S — 17 Sep 2009

An absolutely amazing movie. Nearly twenty tales created by different directors (including the likes of Gus Van Sant and the Coen brothers) with an all-star French and American cast (Gérard Depardieu? Natalie Portman? Yes, please?) are juxtaposed in an attempt to unveil why this city is so intimately tied to the concept, idea, and word of love. This isn't just a French "Love Actually"; "Paris, Je T'aime" doesn't bother to humor you and attempt to weave each story into the other. What you the viewer are lucky enough to experience is a wonderfully artistic journey through rarely seen corners of Paris expressed by different schools of direction and storytelling, all unified by our common journey to find someTHING to love, even if we don't fully understand what that means.

The film may be perceived as lazy production by some, since Tristan Carné did more or less stitch together a creative and eclectic collection of short films into one feature. Some may not appreciate the lack of continuity, the abrupt changes of pace, the noticeably sharp contrasts in film style, and so on. You all should know I'm a sucker for all things French and fell in love with Paris on my second day there, so this film pushed all the right buttons for me and may have equipped me with rose-colored glasses...but I'm certain that nowhere else will you find as unique and touching of a love story in a city as beautiful as this. Go see this movie and try to prove me wrong! I dare you.

I won't do anyone the dishonor of sharing details of any of the plots, but will say that my personal favorites were a mime sequence, Natalie Portman's bit, and the final sequence that brings the film to a beautiful close (albeit in a horrible French accent that I'm all too familiar with). The sequence with Steve Buscemi also did a nice job summarizing my first impression of Paris...which wasn't a good one. Anyhow, enough about me...

From love for friends to love for family, from love of faith to love of career, from addiction to infatuation, you'll see the disillusionment and epiphanies, our moments of weakness and moments of heroism, the transcending of insurmountable boundaries, all on a quirky ride that will make you laugh, sigh, sneer, cringe, say "Huh?", say "Ohhhh", and in the end, simply smile with a flight booked to Paris.

Mood you should be in: Anything, there's enough of everything for everyone here.

Memorable quote: "That was the moment I fell in love with Paris. And I felt Paris fall in love with me.".

Would I watch it again?: I'm buying it.