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Paris, Je T'aime
First Look Pictures
Directed By: Olivier Assayas,
Emmanuel Benbihy,
Gurinder Chadha,
Sylvain Chomet,
Ethan & Joel Coen,
Isabel Coixet,
Wes Craven,
Alfonso Cuarón,
Gérard Depardieu,
Christopher Doyle,
Richard LaGravenese,
Vincenzo Natali,
Alexander Payne,
Bruno Podalydès,
Walter Salles,
Oliver Schmitz,
Nobuhiro Suwa,
Daniela Thomas,
Tom Tykwer,
Gus Van Sant
Written By: Same as above.
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Elijah Wood,
Juliette Binoche, Bob Hoskins, Nick Nolte, Natalie
Portman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Willem Dafoe, Emily
Mortimer, Gena Rowlands, and Catalina Sandino
Moreno
Review Date: June 25, 2007
Alex's Rating: B+
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I could not contain my excitement when I saw the
advertisement for the new film Paris, Je T'aime.
Eighteen astounding directors and a handful of
brilliant American and international stars all
coming together for one movie about love in Paris.
Directors like Alfonso Cuarón, the Coen Brothers,
Gus Van Sant, Gurinder Chadha, Isabel Coixet, Wes
Craven, Gérard Depardieu, Walter Salles, and Alexander
Payne plus stars such as Steve Buscemi, Elijah Wood,
Juliette Binoche, Bob Hoskins, Nick Nolte, Natalie
Portman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Willem Dafoe, Emily
Mortimer, Gena Rowlands, and Catalina Sandino
Moreno, just to name a few.
One of the reasons I was excited for this
conglomeration of eighteen short films was that I was
hoping I would be able to test my skill at pinpointing
directing styles. Much to my chagrin each segment was
preceded by a title displaying the name of the segment
as well as the directors. However, the strength of each
directing and writing style was definitely there. For
example Alfonso Cuarón's segment was filmed entirely
in one camera shot, which after his recent projects
seems to be the style he wants to make his own.
With eighteen different short stories, there were
naturally some hits and some misses. The styles of
each were incredibly varied, so if one comes on that
is not particularly appealing it's only a couple
moments until the next one begins. However, I also
found it difficult because in some instances I became
so attached to the characters that I wanted to have
more time with them than the eight minutes that I was
given.
It's hard to pick favorites of the segments because
they all complement each other so well, yet are so distinctive
in their narrative and visual flair. Each director successfully
shows their love for the city of Paris while at the same time
bringing out their individuality. I've been trying to pick
three that I could choose to focus on, but it's too hard because
there are more than three segments that were really fantastic.
I'd say where Paris, Je T'aime really succeeds, though, is as a
promotional film for the city of Paris. After watching all of
the stories intertwined with the beautiful transition shots of
Paris, damned if I didn't want to hop on a plane and go see
the city of love for myself.
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Bottom Line: Paris, Je T'aime is the best way to see some of the greatest talent working today in one great love story to the city of lights.
Memorable Quote: "It was then I realized that I had fallen in love with Paris. And Paris had fallen in love with me."
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