Such a frustrating disappointment

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Fitzgerald's "Babylon Revisited," is a clean, clearly written indictment of the disaffection promulgated by sudden, unearned wealth upon morally "uncompassed," ex-patriot Americans, an immature group fled to the decadence of between-the-wars Paris. One of the best examples of post-WWI Modernism, the story that provides the basis for the film is "thinned" into a screenplay designed to promote the two-dimensional stars, and in the process, the magic and depth of Fitzgerald is diluted into a mishmash of shallow characterizations wandering about upon a Technicolor screen. "Babylon" (and its author) deserved a far, far better script and a more reasonable treatment. . . . And the literature merited actors whose dramatic abilities outweigh their makeup.

The song "The Last Time I Saw Paris" actually wasn't written for this movie; the movie was written for the song. How often does that happen? It's a very famous song, and it's played countless times throughout the film, mostly to distract the audience from a mediocre story. Van Johnson is torn between traditional Donna Reed and impulsive Elizabeth Taylor. A very tough decision, made even tougher by the circumstances in which he meets Ol' Violet Eyes. She grabs him and kisses him on the street during the merriment of VE Day, then flees. No man would choose Donna Reed after that.The majority of the film isn't a will-they-or-won't-they romantic struggle, which is the movie's biggest mistake. After the two lovebirds get together, the audience stops caring. Pitfalls and contrived obstacles befall the couple, and eventually puts the audience to sleep. I know Liz Taylor is beautiful, but there are so many other movies you can watch if you want to see her beauty up on the big screen. Try A Place in the Sun, Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof—pretty much any movie besides Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to look at her gorgeous mug. The Last Time I Saw Paris is really bad; I'd even go so far as to say it's one of the worst Liz Taylor movies out there. Trust me and save yourself.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story "Babylon Revisted", reworked by three screenwriters (including director Richard Brooks), becomes a well-dressed but chilly, mopey star-vehicle. Americans in Paris find themselves wealthy after striking oil, but the writer-husband's inability to sell a story--coupled with a drinking problem and an attraction to a catty socialite--puts a strain on their marriage. Elizabeth Taylor does what she can with the masochistic wifey role, even getting what actresses like to call "a good hospital scene," but Van Johnson has more of an opportunity as a performer to show range and emotion (the writing is slanted that way). The scenario becomes episodic after the couple comes into money, while the final portion of the plot continues 15 minutes longer than necessary, presumably to 'teach' angry relative Donna Reed about forgiveness...and to show Johnson begging for love, something that apparently humbles every tortured writer's soul. **1/2 from ****

A successful writer ( Van Johnson) remembers about his love story with a gorgeous American girl ( Elizabeth Taylor ) in post WWII Paris . As we watch bright scenarios from Paris as the Arc of Triumph , river Sena , Cathedral of Notre Dame , promenade of Eliseos ; furthermore a horsemen race and Montecarlo car race , among others . Based on a semi-autobiographic novel titled ¨ Babylon revisited ¨ by F. Scott Fitzgerald who is well incarnated by Van Johnson and in which Helen played by Elizabeth Taylor represents Zelda , Scott's wife .This interesting movie reminisces the love affair between a wealthy war reporter and a feisty young woman ; it packs romance , drama , and colorful scenarios . Good support cast as Donna Reed , Eva Gabor , Kurt Kasznar , John Ducette and Walter Pidgeon who steals the show as joyful and sponger father . Glamorous cinematography in glimmer Technicolor by Joseph Ruttemberg and adequate musical score . The motion picture is professionally written and directed by Richard Brooks . He's an American filmmaker and screenwriter who won an Oscar for ¨ Elmer Gantry ¨ writings ; Brooks so consistently blended the good with average which it became quite impossible to know what to expect from him next . In the 50s , the harder his movies impacted , the more successful they were ; and the gentler they were , the less effective as ¨The last time saw Paris ¨ . Thus , the Brooks pictures that have the biggest hit in the 50 are the following : ¨Blackboard jungle ¨, ¨Something of value ¨ ¨The Brothers Karamazov ¨ , and in the 60s are ¨ Sweet bird of youth¨, Cat on a hot tin roof ¨, ¨In cold blood ¨ and ¨ The professionals ¨ ; in addition during the 70s a special mention to ¨ Bite the bullet ¨. Rating : : Good film that appeal to Elizabeth Taylor fans .