moviereview - Paris

PARIS

	Lives intersect in unexpceted ways in this exploration of love, loss and relationships, Parisian style.	score 3+	moviereview rates films from 1 (unwatchable) to 5 (unmissable)
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Cast
Romain Duris, Juliette Binoche, Fabrice Luchini, Albert Dupontel, Mélanie Laurent

Director
Cédric Klapisch

Screenwriter
Cédric Klapisch

Country
France (subtitles)

Rating / Running Time
M / 130 minutes

Australian Release
April 2008

Official Site

“Paris. No one’s ever happy. We grumble. We enjoy that.” The not unfamiliar complaint of an urban dweller in Klapisch’s Manhattan-like ode to the City of Lights. His likeable comedy-drama centres on the relationship between Pierre (Duris) and his sister Elise (Binoche). She’s a frumpy single mother who moves to take care of her brother when given the worst possible news by his doctor. Their story forms the backbone in a multi-layered exploration of love, loss and relationships, Gallic style.

The narrative is distinctly fractured, some lines more than others, enabling Klapisch to draw tension and purpose from unexpected corners. Journeys span class, decades and continents, each drawn by the promise that Paris offers. While the film occasionally drifts toward the contrived, Klapisch marshals events and characters in a satisfying way.

Death hangs heavily, not only with Pierre’s life-threatening condition but in other, less obvious ways, yet Parisis not a morbid film. Despite the tough, somewhat sad, occasionally pathetic subject matter, it remains surprisingly uplifting. The myriad of apparent sub-plots build to a coherent whole that is both fresh and funny. Notable is one between a lecturer – Fabrice Luchini in fine comic form - and his young student, a girl who is also the subject of Pierre’s house-bound lust. And throughout loiters the rewarding backdrop of Paris itself. Although Klapisch finds little that’s new or profound to say, he says it well. Crisp lensing and editing compresses the long runtime to ensure Paris doesn’t overstay its welcome. Fans of the city and the anguish of relationships will not be disappointed.

//COLIN FRASER