Paris Je T’Aime Review
by Michael McQueen
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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. 3 out
of 5 Paris Je T’Aime
Australian
release: 19th April,
2007
Cast: Ben Gazzara, Bob Hoskins, Elijah Wood, Emily Mortimer, Fanny Ardant
Director: Frederic Auburtin, Emmanuel Benbihy, Alfonso Cuaro
Website: Click
here.
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