"2 Days in Paris" *** 1\2 (out of ****)
According to several critics Julie Delpy's "2 Days in Paris" is a sort of modern day parisian version of Woody Allen's classic romantic comedy, "Annie Hall".
Delpy plays Marion, who has been in a two year relationship with Jack (Adam Goldberg). In an attempt to celebrate their two year anniversary they have taken a trip to Europe. First Italy and then, as the title suggest, two days in Paris, so Marion can visit her parents (played by her actual parents; Marie Pillet and Albert Delpy).
Up to this point things seem to have been going well. The couple seems happy, they joke around, laugh, flirt with each other. They seem like a typical couple. But, Paris has a way of changing things. And boy does it ever.
While in Paris Jack runs into several of Marion's ex-boyfriends, complains about every, and gets embarrassed at every turn. A nude picture Marion took of Jack, for instance, finds it way in the hands of Marion's parents.
But with the couple in a foreign land, and with Jack deeply dependent on Marion, since he doesn't speak French, here is where a couple's love is truly tested. When they only have each other to rely on, will they be able to stand each other? Anyone that has ever went on a weekend trip with a loved one, knows exactly what I'm talking about.
Much of the film's humor comes from social and cultural stereotypes. Marion is promiscuous, or at least seems that way to Jack. She has very causal sexual morals. She tells Jack what she has done with certain lovers. When Marion and Jack are about to make love, Marion's mother walks in, but, it is no big deal to Marion.
Jack is a neurotic, whinning, complaining liberal New Yorker, a la Woody Allen. He worries about everything! As soon as they arrive in Paris he tells Marion he is afraid of a terrorist attack happening, because, after all, as he points out, France is a Muslim country. He becomes jealous of Marion's every action and is considered a bit of a stuck up.
In a scene when Jack sees Marion's apartment in Paris he complains about black mole in her bathroom. For a second I thought he might tell her he saw a spider the size of a buick. If you've seen "Annie Hall" you'll get that reference.
The two have amazing chemistry between each other, which may not be all that surprising since Goldberg and Delpy actually use to date. The way they exchange one-liners off each other is very reminiscent of Woody Allen and Diane Keaton. Here is one of my favorite exchanges between them when Jack finds out Marion lives in an apartment above her parents:
Jack: This is your big investment huh? An apartment one floor up from your parents.
Marion: It's convenient.
Jack:Yeah, especially if you like your privacy.
While perhaps that exchange doesn't read funny, the way Goldberg delivers the line, with a very sarcastic tone, makes lines, which perhaps wouldn't normally seem funny, actually very funny.
Sadly though, while I enjoyed much of the film, the resolution falls flat. After a while it oocured to me the film only has one trick up its sleeve and only works on one level. It doesn't raise the stakes against the couple high enough. First they seem happy but Jack soon becomes jealous and then the film cops out. There is no big confrontation really. Emotionally we never really become invested in these characters. But, because I laughed so much at the first two-thirds of the film, and really liked some of the witty banter between the two I've decided not to be so negative against the film. Still, when we see characters who seem so likeable at first and you want to get involved in their relationship, you feel slightly jilted when the film doesn't bring you completely in. But I guess no matter what, this couple will always have Paris.
Delpy was nominated for a Cesar Award ( the French equivalent of an Oscar) for her screenplay and the movie was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for best first feature for Delpy, whom previous to this film had directed two short films.
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