Paris, Je T’aime Review
Posted by Chad Webb on 05.15.2007
Simply sensational.
Bruno Podalydes: Driver (segment 'Montmartre')
Leila Bekhti: Zarka (segment 'Quais de Seine')
Marianne Faithful: Marianne (segment 'Le Marais')
Steve Buscemi: The Tourist (segment "Tuileries")
Catalina Sandino Moreno: Ana (segment 'Loin du 16ème')
Barbet Schroeder: Monsieur Henny (segment 'Porte de Choisy')
Miranda Richardson: The Wife (segment "Bastille")
Juliette Binoche: Suzanne (segment "Place des Victoires")
Paul Putner: Male Mime (segment "Tour Eiffel")
Nick Nolte: Vincent (segment 'Parc Monceau')
Maggie Gyllenhaal: Liz (segment 'Quartier des Enfants Rouges')
Seydou Boro: Hassan (segment 'Place des Fêtes')
Bob Hoskins: Bob Leander (segment 'Pigalle')
Elijah Wood: The Tourist (segment "Quartier de la Madeleine")
Emily Mortimer: Frances (segment 'Père-Lachaise')
Natalie Portman: Francine (segment 'Faubourg Saint-Denis')
Gerard Depardieu: Café Owner (segment "Quartier Latin")
Gena Rowlands: Gena (segment 'Quartier Latin')
Margo Martindale: Carol (segment "14ème Arrondissement")
Directed By: Joel & Ethan Coen, Tom Tykwer, Gus Van Zant, Alexander Payne, etc.
Release Date: May 4, 2007
Running Time: 120 minutes
Rated R for language and brief drug use.
Paris, Je T’aime is a beautifully remarkable anthology film. It is so rare that one piece of work displays such a broad examination of the mysterious language we call love. These collective offerings are quite unique for audiences. It is not the responsibility of one filmmaker, but many different visionaries. This is an assortment of treats where each one is guaranteed to move or shake you in some strange, wonderful, and passionate way.
Paris, Je T’aime is a compilation of 18 short stories, which are all set in Paris, France. The theme of love ties all these stories together. They are approximately 7-9 minutes in length. It was difficult to pick only a few to summarize, so I will divulge some brief thoughts on each of them.
Montmartre - The beginning episode is hilarious and touching as a lonely man drives around trying to find a parking space, while complaining to himself about not having a girlfriend. This was written, directed, and starring Bruno Podalydes.
Quais de Seine - Written and directed with the utmost charm by Gurinder Chadha (Bend it Like Beckham). As a trio of males sit and make comments to every attractive woman that walks by, the nicer of the three helps one girl who has just tripped. The mixing of cultures was terrific, and the message was very important.
Le Marais - As only filmmaker Gus Van Zant can, this is the only one with gay themes. It is poetic, entrancing, and hysterical. This is one of my favorites. Gaspard Ulliel and Marrianne Faithful star in this intense and brilliant short.
Tuileries - Joel and Ethan Coen’s submission is a very witty and adeptly constructed glimpse at tourism, and the shadier areas of Paris, more specifically the subway. Steve Buscemi is the lead, along with Julie Bataille and Alex Kiener. This is trademark effective quirkiness from the Coens, and top-notch expressions from Buscemi.
Loin du 16ème - The duo of Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas craft this intriguing and ironical piece starring Catalina Sandino Moreno. The song is soothing, and the acting is persuasive. This may not be one of the more memorable, but it is still nice.
Porte de Choisy - Legendary cinematographer Christopher Doyle fashions an obscure adventure with a hair salon here starring Barbet Schroeder and Li Xin. It is funny, imaginative, and completely bizarre all at the same time. This is dazzling camera work.
Bastille - Written and directed by Isabel Coixet, a person previously unknown to me, but not anymore. This is another unforgettable tale that is both tragic and hopeful. It is so moving in such a short span of time I cannot describe it in words. It is about a husband and his sick wife.
Place des Victoires - Nobuhiro Sawa contributes this heartbreaking, yet artistically excellent, short starring Juliette Binoche with Willam Dafoe. When Binoche wants to stand out, she can do it like no other actress can. She is a mother grieving over the loss of her son. This is carefully made and ambitious.
Tour Eiffel - From writer and director Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Bellville) comes this crazy story about two mimes falling love. This made me smile because it was just silly enough to be appealing. In many ways, it was delightful, and courageously helmed.
Parc Monceau - Acclaimed filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men) shoots this in one singular take with Nick Nolte and Ludvine Sagnier. It is a conversation with a cool little twist at the end. This exhibited the element of surprise cleverly, and Nolte was amazing.
Quartier des Enfants Rouges - This was written and directed by Olivier Assayas, and stars Maggie Gyllenhaal, who again shows that she is one of the fastest rising talents today. This is about looking in the wrong places for companionship, and it teaches a commendable lesson in the process.
Place des Fêtes - Oliver Schmitz assumed the writing and directing responsibilities for this episode which explores how fate can be really screwed up and unfortunate sometimes. What a mesmerizing and poignant short this was.
Pigalle - Richard LaGravanese (Freedom Writers) writes and directs this take on a couple trying to keep the spice in their relationship. Bob Hoskins and Fannay Ardant are superb and satisfying here.
Quartier de la Madeleine - Vincenzo Natali (Cube) switches it up to horror with Elijah Wood as a tourist who takes a wrong turn. Oddly, this was one that continues to haunt my dreams as a dark and seductive love story. This has many noir features combining with the exaggerated visuals, but it all fascinates equally.
Père-Lachaise - Wes Craven jumps on his opportunity, but ustilizes tactics many will not expect. This takes place in a cemetery as an engaged couple attempt to locate a certain grave. More fantasy occurs here, but it is sly, meaningful, and captivating with Emily Mortimer and Rufus Sewell.
Faubourg Saint-Denis - Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, Perfume) delivers breathtaking and energetic material with Natalie Portman. She lights up the screen as usual, and the music guides us on a journey between an aspiring actress and a young blind man. Wow, is all I can say about this.
Quartier Latin - The team of Gerard Depardieu and Frederick Auburtin direct, while Gena Rowlands scripts this cute short about a married couple ready to finalize their divorce. The dialogue is quite funny, and the chemistry is established with unbelievable competence in no time at all.
14th Arrondissement - Alexander Payne (Sideways) supplies the audience with the concluding short, which was co-written with Nadine Eid, and it follows an American tourist, who is struggling with hidden anguish. For many, this was the best of them all. Margo Martindale is exceptional in her presence and her voice over.
This is a Paris where anything can lurk around the corner, a place that can hold the key to happiness, and the severity of tragedy. I have never been to Paris, but what this film does is evoke all the endearing, realistic, and magical qualities Paris possesses. It requires one to open their mind, as this particular portrait of Paris has never been seen before. The City of Lights unlocks its treasure chest and reveals the profundity and enigmatic behaviors of love.
Often, omnibus films can seem much better on paper, or even in one's mind, than on a screen through a projector. In this instance, nothing could be farther from the truth. This is not a hyperlink movie in the vein of Babel or Traffic. Some of these stories (not all) intertwine, but not in a predictable sense, and not in a manner one would anticipate. Many could criticize Paris, Je T’aime and state that is lacks cohesiveness due to the varying filmmakers blending divergent styles. I would disagree. This experiment is not uneven, rough, or disorganized. The city itself acts as the glue between the shorts. The overhead shots of Paris during the day and night are gorgeous and stunning. Emmanuel Benbihy shapes these love poems by expressing sporadic birds’ eye views of this hypnotizing place.
The concept of love also holds these unique and extraordinary visualizations in place. It’s as if every side of this city has been exposed for the world to admire. Every angle is bursting with the splendor and ugliness of romance. One might suspect that 21 directors might manufacture projects in which their techniques clash, but that does not happen. They are assembled as a unit similar to pieces of a puzzle, which will form a wondrous image as the result.
The most recent film I can compare this to is Nine Lives by Rodrigo Garcia, which is definitely an overlooked gem on its own. That was only nine stories, whereas this is eighteen. What I liked more about Paris, Je T’ime was the way it clearly defined the bookends at the start and finish. In Nine Lives, the end felt a bit abrupt. The Paris saga wraps up marvelously. Because the episodes are not long at all, the running time flies by fast, making this an extremely brisk, yet spectacular and efficient experience. I wanted each sampler of affection and devotion to continue, but it was not imperative for them to do so.
Paris, Je T’aime is a buffet of delicious treats that will fulfill your every desire and touch your soul in the most strange and exquisite ways. These alluring and engrossing vignettes are led by the directors and the talent in a cooperative effort of bliss, misery, optimism, and dreams. Of course, some are better than others, but only slightly, and none are overshadowed. This is pure perfection.
The 411: Paris, Je T’aime was one of the best moviegoing experiences I have had all year. I sincerely hope everyone who sees this enjoys it as much as I did. It is very weird, yet elegant and sweet all the same. One must not eliminate their imaginations when watching though. Many stars will jump out at you as looking familiar. The acting is not owned by one person, although a few are truly lasting, such as Natalie Portman and Nick Nolte. I cannot wait to buy this and show it to more people. It is only playing in a limited capacity right now, but if you can see it, I urge you to take advantage of the occasion soon.
