For Paris in July, I watched the film, 2 Days in Paris. Written and directed by Julie Delpy, this film centers on Jack (a New York interior designer) and Marion ( a French-born photographer); a couple who have been traveling through Europe in the hopes of rekindling their relationship. So far, Jack and Marion are not doing that well - whilst in Venice they got a bout of some sort of intestinal illness, therefore putting a damper on the romance aspect of their trip. On their way back home to the States, they have decided to stop in Paris (Marion's hometown) for 2 days. Unbeknownst to Jack, Marion has always kept in contact with her many ex-lovers and so he is shocked to discover this fact - it seems that everywhere they go, Marion runs into one of her many ex-lovers. Jack also has to contend with the mockery he endures from Marion's family, who have all viewed a very private photograph (a naked picture that Jack took for Marion's eyes only) of Jack and cannot help but laugh whenever they see him. Sadly, it appears that 2 days in Paris will not spark the romantic flame that has petered out.
My thoughts:
I absolutely loved this film! It was such a fun movie - I was laughing out loud the whole time. It was hilarious watching Goldberg (Jack) struggling to accept the fact that Marion (Delpy) has been keeping in contact with her exes and sees no reason why she shouldn't; while he clearly does not see a reason why she should want to keep in contact with any of her exes. We watch Jack endure an uncomfortable lunch with Marion's family, where they mock him because of his French speaking skills and over a naked picture that they have seen of him. Then there is the party that Marion takes Jack to, where he is forced to make small talk with Marion's exes and wonder how faithful Marion has truly been. We watch Marion get into a shouting match with an ex at a cafe, which results in her and Jack getting ousted from the cafe. Then there is Jack's visit to a burger joint in Paris where he befriends a young man who may or may not be a terrorist. And during all of these events we see Paris - the streets, cafes, outdoor markets, etc. We watch two people struggling to come to grips with their own personal insecurities, all the while creating a divide that is pushing their relationship further and further apart. Definitely an interesting film - not your typical romantic comedy, where boy meets girl and they fall in love under the Eiffel Tower. I loved how this film explored the romantic relationship between two very quirky characters in Paris. What a treat to watch! Both Goldberg and Delpy were spot on with their acting - you could believe Goldberg to be a neurotic, hypochondriac who has no problem lying to his fellow Americans when they ask him for directions. And you can believe that Delpy is a free-spirited, independent woman, who has no problem confronting racist cab drivers or maintaining an apartment in Paris that is located directly above her parents'. The dialogue is sharp and witty and the character development is solid. 2 Days in Paris is a must see!
Such a great way to participate in Paris in July! Now I just need to find a good book to read. I started to read the first few page of Nadja by Breton, but its a rather difficult book to get through. Its surrealist in origin and slightly off putting with its non-linear structure - rather reminds of something I would have had to read for my postmodern lit course in college. So, we'll see if I can stick it out. Until my next post, Happy reading!!!