...a film that is maddeningly French in every way.
As I´ve stated, "Dans Paris" is a very French film as such there´s not a story that unfolds in the conventional sense. This is a character driven piece that simply follows the lives of these folks over the course of a single day. Obviously, those looking for a traditional story structure will find the film a bit exasperating, especially during the nonlinear portion in the first act. That isn´t what bothered me about the film. I found it difficult to really get into the picture when I can´t sympathize with either Jonathan or Paul. Being unable to find the characters engaging in a character-driven piece is not a good sign. Jonathan was too smug for my tastes and Paul was just annoying in the whiniest, emo kind of way. I didn´t care for the way Honorè referenced other directors or films either. I don´t mind a little homage every now and then so long as it´s done in a clever fashion or if there´s a twist to give the reference a new slant. Here, it just feels like Honorè is trying to show off how smart he is. When Paul finally summons up the courage to call Anna, the estranged couple sings their words to each other as if they were in "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg." I will admit to one moment of Godard-like wit when Paul ruminates about his familial situation, he passes a theater where posters hang for David Cronenberg´s "A History of Violence" and Gus Van Sant´s "Last Days." The latter also happens to feature his "Dreamers" co-star, Michael Pitt.
VIDEO:
The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The transfer is spotless, but the picture itself comes off slightly flat. It's drab looking which fits into the gloomy, grayish atmosphere of Paris in winter.
AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 in the original French language with optional English and Spanish subtitles. The film is dialogue heavy and every line comes in crisp and clear. The film also has a hip jazz score that sounds quite good, but this isn´t the type of DVD to show off your sound system.
EXTRAS:
There's not much to be found here. Included on the DVD are Rendez-Vous with Louis which is billed as a short film from the director. It is actually Honorè on the a Parisian street videotaping Louis Garrel as he reads fan letters. They later meet a quartet of American teens and discuss film or at least attempt to as the tourists have absolutely no knowledge of cinema, French or American.
You'll also find a four minute deleted scene between Jonathan and his father in the bathtub and a theatrical trailer.
FILM VALUE:
I realize the majority of French cinema might not be to everyone´s tastes. I knew someone in film school whose opinion I respected and whose tastes jibed very much with my own. However, after watching Olivier Assayas´s "Irma Vep," he turned to me and said, "This is why I hate French film because they make crap like that." I never looked at the man the same way again. He didn´t like "Clean" either, for shame. But, I digress. "Dans Paris" embodies everything that is either loved or loathed about French film. I did enjoy the first third of "Dans Paris," but I just couldn´t get into the second and final acts. I found it to be a film with pretensions of deeper meaning when all I see are characters whining and moaning like lovesick kids in junior high.
VIDEO:
The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The transfer is spotless, but the picture itself comes off slightly flat. It's drab looking which fits into the gloomy, grayish atmosphere of Paris in winter.
AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 in the original French language with optional English and Spanish subtitles. The film is dialogue heavy and every line comes in crisp and clear. The film also has a hip jazz score that sounds quite good, but this isn´t the type of DVD to show off your sound system.
EXTRAS:
There's not much to be found here. Included on the DVD are Rendez-Vous with Louis which is billed as a short film from the director. It is actually Honorè on the a Parisian street videotaping Louis Garrel as he reads fan letters. They later meet a quartet of American teens and discuss film or at least attempt to as the tourists have absolutely no knowledge of cinema, French or American.
You'll also find a four minute deleted scene between Jonathan and his father in the bathtub and a theatrical trailer.
FILM VALUE:
I realize the majority of French cinema might not be to everyone´s tastes. I knew someone in film school whose opinion I respected and whose tastes jibed very much with my own. However, after watching Olivier Assayas´s "Irma Vep," he turned to me and said, "This is why I hate French film because they make crap like that." I never looked at the man the same way again. He didn´t like "Clean" either, for shame. But, I digress. "Dans Paris" embodies everything that is either loved or loathed about French film. I did enjoy the first third of "Dans Paris," but I just couldn´t get into the second and final acts. I found it to be a film with pretensions of deeper meaning when all I see are characters whining and moaning like lovesick kids in junior high.
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