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Paris, Je T'Aime [2007]


RRP: £19.99
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Even with the impressive talent involved, Paris, Je T'Aime could've ended up like a fallen soufflé. Though all 18 films aren't equally successful, they hit the mark more often than not. Romantics anticipating happy love stories set amongst the City of Lights may be disappointed to find that many are quite sad and that some parts of Paris are less inviting than others (each takes place in a different district). Further, the shorts aren't all en Français, since the actors and directors hail from around the world, but their outsider perspectives lend the project depth. The strongest entries are provided by Gurinder Chadha (Quais De Seine), Gus Van Sant (Le Marais), Oliver Schmitz (Place des Fêtes), and Alexander Payne (14ème Arrondissement), but all find interesting ways to explore cultural misunderstandings. In Joel and Ethan Coen's tragic-comic Tuileries, tourist Steve Buscemi angers a couple simply by making eye contact. Like Miranda Richardson in Isabelle Coixet's heartbreaking Bastille, he does all his acting with his expressive face. And while Maggie Gyllenhaal speaks the language adroitly in Olivier Assayas's intriguing Quartier des Enfants Rouges, Nick Nolte (purposefully) mangles it in Alfonso Cuarón's surprisingly weak Parc Monceau. The anthology ends with Payne's audio-postcard, in which Margo Martindale's postal carrier narrates her vacation in awkward, but endearing French. Instead of another person, she falls in love with Paris, simply for allowing her to be herself. It's the perfect finish to a poignant repast, like strawberries dipped in chocolate--sweet, but not cloyingly so. --Kathleen C. Fennessy


Interesting collection of love tales
Review date: 2008-10-12 Rating: 8 out of 10

This is an eclectic collection of love tales set in Paris , some slightly dull and some just brilliant . The whole movie is worth watching just because of the Coen brothers film with Steve Buscemi and the romance between a boy and a vampire.

There are a lot of familiar faces in the movie and the short films a generally well directed , just because is 18 of them , it feels a little short.

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Reviews


Romantic odes to Paris
Review date: 2008-07-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

I am not usually a fan of short films, but Paris Je T'aime is a surprisingly good collection of *very* short (about five minutes each!) films about life in Paris. There are eighteen films in all, and, predictably enough, some are better than others. Yet the overall quality was very good, and a few were outstanding. Most of them have something to do with romance or love, but other than that the collection is diverse. There is comedy, tragedy and even horror. Most of these films manage to actually tell complete stories in a mere five minutes.

I especially enjoyed Steve Buscemi (in a non-speaking role) as a pathetic tourist who makes the mistake of staring at an arguing couple in a Metro station. Also very good was a tale of vampire love. This one had a very simple plot -female vampire finds male victim, he becomes a vampire too- and no dialogue, but the visuals and facial expressions were great.

I won't list all of the well known actors and directors who participated in this project, but overall I found it much better than I expected. I say this because the concept, along with the title, make it sound like a rather obvious gimmick, but the result here is memorable, original and aesthetically pleasing (except maybe for one featuring mimes!). Highly recommended, especially to lovers of Paris.

pretentious garbage
Review date: 2008-06-08 Rating: 2 out of 10

I cannot believe that other reviewers can take this DVD seriously. This is French pretentious film at its worst - and I say this as a long-time resident in France with a great love of all things French. But surely this is navel-watching of the first order. If you love Paris, just go there and enjoy it; don't try to empathise with these directors who offer long silences, so-called significant looks and sparse dialogue and call it Art. There is little of Paris here at all, but a great deal of French posturing. Leave it alone for the Emperor's New Clothes brigade and find something more satisfyingly enjoyable and accessible.

Lots of Misses but one or two Direct Hits
Review date: 2008-03-05 Rating: 6 out of 10

I'm fascinated by how film conveys a sense of place. I recently did a Soprano's tour in New Jersey, which revealed to me how a camera can enchant a landscape through brilliant storytelling.

So I was drawn to this cinematic exercise centred around Paris. The cast is stellar, as is the directing talent.

They had five minutes to create a story. Several of them are quite pretentious, a handful are boring, and then it picks up towards the end. The last one by Alexander Payne is brilliant, and makes it all worth it. I found Carol's story sad, funny and moving. Natalie Portman exudes great beauty and charm in her slot. Emily Mortimer does a very English cameo in the one based in Pere Lachaise. The Depardieu contribution with Gena Rowlands is a short masterpiece of dialogue. The music at the end is also very charming.

Having watched it, I booked a spring holiday in Paris, and it inspired me to try and write something similar about places I know well in London.

Pretentious, moi?
Review date: 2008-02-10 Rating: 6 out of 10

The idea of a montage of individual stories set in the world's most beautiful city is enticing, but the finished product is a tad disappointing. Paris looked lovely, but I found most of the stories either dull or just plain daft.

That is not to say that the film doesn't have some good moments. The story of the singing car park attendant and his love for a medic was quite moving, as was Denver lady and her beautiful epiphany moment in a Paris park.

You get a much richer taste of Paris in the excellent thriller 'Tell No One'. But then nothing can beat creating your own story by visiting the city itself.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Nick Nolte
Bob Hoskins
Gerard Depardieu
Steve Buscemi
Natalie Portman

Creators:
Steve Buscemi (Primary Contributor)
Natalie Portman (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582514568
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-02-04
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 115 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007

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