Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Simply A Masterpiece

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Try to cram eighteen different stories into two hours and you're going to end up with something which, as a whole, is rather uneven. Such is the case with Paris, je t'aime. This is less one movie and more eighteen movies which happen to be shown in succession. The only common denominator is the setting, Paris. Eighteen different stories, told by eighteen different directors, featuring eighteen different casts. Some famous directors, some largely unknown. Some stories feature famous performers, others feature performers who are completely anonymous. There are little comedies, little dramas, little romances, little tragedies. It's quite the ebb and flow, you never know what's coming next. At least you know that if you're not enjoying what you're watching in a given moment there will be something entirely different coming along shortly.All in all it's an interesting experiment, buoyed by mostly interesting stories. A few of the mini-movies don't work or seem out of place. In a movie full of ordinary stories about ordinary life in Paris a vampire segment is a little jarring and bizarre. There's a story centered around a Chinatown beauty salon which is quite incomprehensible. A few of the stories fall rather flat. But on the other hand a few of the stories are actually quite brilliant. Most fall somewhere in between. At its best Paris, je t'aime is really good and even at its worst it's not truly terrible. The film may wear you down by the end, there's the sense that maybe there are three or four stories too many. But even if the film does start to drag it manages to pick itself up and get moving again. Such is the benefit of having an entirely new story every few minutes. Everyone will have their own favorite segments. There is something here for everyone. Fittingly the final segment is essentially a love letter to Paris. Margo Martindale plays Carol, a middle-aged American tourist extolling the virtues of the city in truly terrible, amateurish French. Carol may not have mastered the language but the sentiment is clear and sincere. She loves Paris. Simple. There is obviously much to love about the city and in Paris, je t'aime all the different directors with all their different stars do the city justice. It's an up-and-down movie, by its very nature inconsistent. But it's a unique ride, one worth taking.

the search. of love, the other, yourself, sense, happiness. that is the essence of this splendid puzzle - movie who can impress for great cast, for large force of stories or for its delicacy, cruel, painful drops but who remains real beautiful for the extraordinary message. a film about Paris and about love. at first sigh that could be all. but this move, who seems be more a book or a new Decalogue, has the chance to transform the viewer, to remember old experiences of dreams. and that fact is basic virtue of movie. who has a special flavor, who gives a total show, who can be romantic, cold , poetic or only old fashion one. a film about not the love or the characters but about spectator.

Paris, je t'aime, is an interesting melange of 18 vignettes directed by a host of different directors. Naturally, certain sequences are considerably more affecting than others. "Loin du 16ieme" is a rather profound look at the divide between rich and poor, as well as between native-born French women and the emigres imported to be their servants. "Quartier de la Madeleine" is a very powerful portrait of a drugged-out actress and her boyfriend/pusher. "Faubourg Saint-Denis" is a moving portrait of a young, frivolous actress (Natalie Portman), who plays with and then abandons a blind admirer. Many other sequences seem either incomplete ("Les Marais") or incomprehensible ("Porte de Choisy") but, on the whole, there are more good moments than bad in this film.My disagreement with all those who have commented on this movie favorably is that somehow this movie is supposed to make its viewers love and and admire Paris and perhaps long to visit the "city of lights". But the Paris shown in this film is in large measure an alcoholic, drugged-out, impoverished, and decadent society essentially living off the glories of its past. The only even remotely enthusiastic characters in the film are the Americans and Englishmen who are visiting: the French characters seem depressed, washed up, and largely incapable of action. I am sure that Paris remains an inspiring and beautiful city -- as it has been through the centuries. But one would never know it from watching this sorrowful portrait of a once glorious city on the way out. Love this Paris? Really?

Ah, Where do I start? Well, The Movie is a compilation of 20 stories set in the background of Paris. Presented by 22 Directors, Most segments are touching and heart warming. The crew has some big names like Coen Bros., Alexander Payne, Alfanso Curaon, etc. but the point is everyone succeeds in making their point in merely 10 min. per story. Now, that's a difficult task. To pull out emotional impact and develop the characters in 10 min. There lies the magic of the movie. All these segments work like different music instruments and make one beautiful tune together! Having said that, this movie is not just about Paris, no!! It's a celebration of life, living both joyous and sad moments, exploring yourself and feeling alive. That's what this is on larger aspect. Needless to say that it has many wonderful performances and mesmerizing cinematography.The last segment, directed by Alexander Payne, particularly left a deep imprint on me. It's about a middle aged woman who is alone on a trip to Paris. Living in Paris, she explores herself, she enjoys working for letter posting company. She's there enjoying her lunch everyday, alone. Enjoying the sight scenes of Paris, alone. There she finds a meaning to life. When sitting alone in a Park and looking at all people around her, she describes that she was filled with a particular feeling, a feeling mixed both of joy and sadness but less on the later part. Perhaps, that's what we are, the audience to this movie, looking at these characters.. we feel both joy and sadness!! We explore ourselves. Well, that was my thought.The movie ends with a beautiful monologue supported by a lovely song by Feist -We all go round and round / Partners are lost and found/ Looking for one more chance / All I know is .. We're all in the dance!!How appropriate! :)