By Ron Wilkinson Oct 18, 2009, 15:45 GMT
An explosion of acting, sets and costumes that leaves the viewer with a feeling of near permanent glossiness
“Paris” is a sparkling revue of French talent wrapped up in a package of near ultimate production but if you are looking for something fresh and new you are better off looking elsewhere. Director Cédric Klapisch followed a format similar to his first feature film “Little Nothings” in which several stories play out in sketchy intersections. “Paris” has received a fantastic reception by the French film industry and is nominated for a 2009 César for Best Film as well as a whopping six other nominations. Among them are Best Editing for Francine Sandberg for keeping this army of actors and scenes in order and Best Supporting Actress for Karin Viard for her performance as a hilariously tough bakery owner desperately trying to find young employees to walk on water.
Romain Duris heads up the super-star ensemble cast as a young dancer who has a bad day at the doctor’s office. He is told his heart doesn’t work any more and he needs a new one or he will die in a year. The part is good for Duris as he seems to revel in dramatic roles contrasting happiness and sadness. He is a three time nominee for César awards for Actor / Promising Actor including the angst soaked “The Beat That My Heart Skipped” in 2005. In this film his character Pierre is joined by his sister Elise (Juliette Binoche) and her three children at the time of his life’s ultimate crisis. Better live now while the time is right. On with the show!
Juliette Binoche’s part in this film is minor. She plays a single mom and social worker who touches on a character or two. Primarily she is a foil for her brother when he comes home and is feeling sorry for himself. For those viewers who are die-hard Binoche fans and have seen her stunning dozen Oscar/Cesar performances (“Chocolat” and “The English Patient”) if it is her you want to see stay at home with a DVD.
In fairness to the film there is lot more here than Binoche; she is part of a wonderful assemblage of characters, sets and cinematography. The feel is movement and contrast with scenes of the fish market to the high fashion runway and beautiful historic buildings to dreadful social service centers; the funny and cruel bakery madam and the troubled vegetable seller who turns out not to have a heart of gold. This movement and contrast is suffused with the energy and beauty of the big city. Although the film is set is Paris it could be any city and that is a wonderful credit to the production. This is not so much a film that sets out to aggrandize a city as it is a story of city people who learn that life is within them and without them.
The movie features excellent production including great cinematography by Christophe Beaucarne. Because of the variety of filming locations the challenges for the cinematographer were many. In the end his diligence has resulted in a visual feast for the viewers. Most French films offer lush composition and costumes and this film is no exception. The romantic encounter in the huge refrigerated meat locker is as funny as it is unusual. The viewer keeps wondering what the next outrageous setting will be.
On one level the story is a walking tour of Paris showing a variety f the facets of the city. On a deeper level it is about the story that every person has and how a big city at times turns out to be a small place. No matter what happens from day to day it is all about living life to the fullest and never putting off until tomorrow what you can experience today.
Whenever we see Juliette Binoche and Romain Duris appearing together in a film we expect the best. The danger is to expect too much. But in this film they delivered 100% not only in their vibrant performances but in their development of screen chemistry (at least chemistry at the sibling level). Being a summer release ensemble piece most will be ready for something on the light side, with the usual scrumptious French cinematography. This film delivers on the great lensmanship and offers something a bit deeper than most will expect. If you haven’t seen Duris in a while he is as edgy and troubled as ever—a perfect foil for the light and lovely Binoche. Great shots of Paris backed up by a half dozen good performances and a legitimate moral to boot---live for today!
Directed and Written by: Cédric Klapisch
Starring: Juliette Binoche and Romain Duris
Release: September 18, 2009MPAA: Rated R for language and some sexual referencesRuntime: 124 minutes Country: France Language: French with English sub-titlesColor: Color
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