Friday, April 24, 2009

Paris, Je T'Aime

2006

2/4 Stars

This is an uneven collection of vignettes that have little in common other than their themes of love, loss, and Paris. The directors assembled as well as the cast is star-studded. Steve Buscemi, Willem Dafoe, Juliette Binoche, Nick Nolte, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Bob Hoskins, Elijah Wood, Natalie Portman, and many others are featured in a series of five minute shorts.

The film is a touch sadder than one would anticipate. Juliette Binoche's storyline, revolving around a mother who has recently lost her young son is positively tragic. Another piece, depicting an African immigrant who is mortally stabbed is also difficult to watch. Other pieces, such as one featuring a pair of mimes are whimsical and strange.

All in all, this is an a film that has a wide variety of pieces that vary in quality. Chances are equal that the viewer will find a piece that s/he likes and one that s/he does not (or several of each). This makes for an uneven experience and for a mediocre film.

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