Saturday, 14 July 2012

2 Days in Paris (2007) - Julie Delpy


Synopsis:
After taking a holiday to Venice, Marion and Jack attempt to keep the fires burning after a 2 year long relationship. On their way home to New York they stop off at Marion's parents house for 2 days in Paris.



If you’d have approached me with a DVD, 2 Days in Paris its title, with a cover giving off the vibe of a rom-com and said ‘Hey Josh, we can watch this film tonight yeah?’ I would have laughed... I would have laughed, bought True Grit and left you alone in HMV. Fortunately for me it was my girlfriend who was with me in HMV so of course I had no choice.... and fortunately for me... the film was fantastic! Truly an absolute gem.

I suppose that by nature I’m ‘anti rom-com’ but this film is impossible not to like. In fact two lines of dialogue in and I just gave into it, embracing it fully. But I suppose this isn’t your standard romance-comedy. Yes this is a film about love, but instead of laying on the laughs thick it’s sprinkled delicately, yet masterfully, with subtle humour. On top of this add the marvellously realistic interactions between our two subjects and a plethora of other great actors and you’ve got a film that can’t help but engage and force you to reflect.

Although there is no clear story the way the characters develop is impeccable. You have Jack, played by Adam Goldberg, overly protective, always paranoid and riddled with munchausen syndrome, he bounces off the enchantingly carefree, yet quick to anger nature of Marion. It’s interesting to see how couples who have been together for long periods of time can quickly go from happy one moment to rage the next. This slowly slips back into neutrality and the circle starts again. Also interestingly you tend to both sympathise and be against both protagonists, each with their pros and cons, it’s great to see less clear cut personalities. Julie Delpy (who also directs and plays Marion) captures something I believe all people who have been in relationships can understand and she does so with an interesting and quirky script.

It’s marvellous to see the character arc culminate into its final heartfelt act. The whole film is a great ride, occasionally uncomfortable but always a joy. Marion’s family are all lovable and their liberal attitude towards sex, as well as every other Parisian, really helps in making the film personal. Marion’s friends, notably her ex-boyfriends, are the closest things that we get to villains, overly promiscuous and open to uncomfortable conversation they help get across an otherwise moody and unlikeable Jack onto the side of the audience. Basically the film is just put together masterfully by Delpy, the characters all gel, the cinematography and consistently warm haze still manages put across the natural charm of Paris despite its people and places often being painted in a less flattering light. A real gift.


Overview:
Words fail me. I don’t know how else to express how much I enjoyed this film. It’s wonderful, simply wonderful, and despite how much I hated learning French growing up I’ve got to admit, I will now stand up and say it is without a doubt the sexiest language on the planet. 

Rating:

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