Caffeinated Clint
In principle, “Paris Je T’Aime” is an intriguing prospect: a communally produced series of short films directed by some of the most recognisable talents in contemporary cinema and featuring an all-star line-up, from Steve Buscemi to Elijah Wood, all shot on location in Paris.
Steve Buscemi, Willem Defoe, Elijah Wood, Bob Hoskins, Maggie Gyllenhall, Natalie Portman, Nick Nolte, Gaspard Ulliel
In principle, “Paris Je T’Aime” is an intriguing prospect: a communally produced series of short films directed by some of the most recognisable talents in contemporary cinema and featuring an all-star line-up, from Steve Buscemi to Elijah Wood, all shot on location in Paris. The thought of going into the cinema and seeing the Coen brothers go head to head with Wes Craven via Gus Van Sant had me foaming into my popcorn and I had to be briefly restrained, lest I exploded with anticipation. If all this sounds rather exciting, I must say that, while it is good, “Paris Je T’Aime” is unlikely to fulfil all of your expectations.
Given there are so many contributors, each story is understandably short. Most of the directors make good use of their window of opportunity and deliver snappy, punchy and frequently amusing character-based sketches; however, some of the episodes suffer from underdeveloped characters, malnourished narratives, anti-climaxes and feel like little more than filler. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; the entertainment downtime allows you to mentally digest and prepared to enter the next chapter fully psyched. However, there is an entire lack of cohesive structure here; one episode is over just as the next begins and the order they are shown in seems haphazard – if not entirely random. Given the film’s lengthy overall running time, it’s not long before the attention span starts to wonder what’s for dinner.
That said, when it’s good, it’s thoroughly enjoyable. There’s a brilliant performance by Steve Buscemi as a haplessly bewildered and paranoid tourist, featuring some hilarious slapstick humour (courteous of the Coen brothers); Wes Craven portrays a souring honeymoon given a romantic boost by the ghost of Oscar Wilde; there’s even a delicious horror-spoof featuring a vampirous Elijah Wood (a personal favourite). Other highlights include a love story told in mime, a husband who reignites his failing marriage after his wife becomes terminally ill, and a blossoming romance with Natalie Portman recalled surreally by her blind lover.
Elsewhere, “Paris Je T’Aime” treads water; some episodes fall flat due to time restrictions, underdeveloped plots and characters – or simply aren’t that interesting to begin with. Maggie Gyllenhall feels wasted here as a partying Hollywood actress, as does Willem Dafoe playing a cowboy (!) and an uninspiring Gaspard Ulliel also features.
Although the project as a whole is somewhat anti-climactic, “Paris Je T’Aime” is worth a look, if only to experience what truly fine filmmakers can do in a short period of time.
Rating :
Reviewer : Michael McQueen
