If you happen to dig modern love stories like the Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight trilogy, then I'm pretty sure that 2 Days in Paris is no exception. And with Valentine's Day just around the corner, this is the perfect one to watch!
With a fascination over the City of Lights lately, this film is an emotional and comedic mumblecore between two quirky characters. Julie Delpy is definitely pulling all the stops to create a compelling and hectic two-day film diary under her direction.
It starts with Marion (also played by Delpy) and Jack (played by Adam Goldberg) on a train heading to Paris fresh from their Venetian trip. Marion is a French photographer in New York where she met Jack, an American interior designer – each with their own brand of neurotics trying to outwit each other in their relationship.
Upon arrival, the two heads straight to Marion's apartment one floor up her parent's place. Jack tries to acclimate himself of the new environment as well as the household routines not to mention Marion's irritability, wits and utter charm. Marion, on the other hand, does her best to manage Jack's discomfort, paranoia and sarcasm especially with a relatively compact space.
Despite having a rough start during lunch with the family, he makes it a point to put up with it by offering to show them the pictures of the trip. Suddenly out of nowhere, a very incriminating photo of him is brought up in the conversation. Apparently, Marion took the photo of him and circulated it to her family. Unaware and caught off-guard, he feels awkward and tries brushing it off topic. To get away from the situation, the couple left to go around Paris sightseeing, paying a visit to Jim Morrison's grave and even meeting one of Marion's ex-lovers, Manu, along the way.
Later that evening, they made plans to go to her dad's gallery opening and a party for Marion's friends. While preparing to go out, Jack found another incriminating photo – this time – of one of Marion's ex-lovers. He then questions her for which she quickly dispels it as a running joke she does with her friends. They decided to drop the issue on their way to the gallery and party.
Once again, they bumped into Manu at the party. Jack is surprised to know that Manu had this strange idea of staying at their place in New York. He asks Marion to disinvite him and she comes up with an excuse to do so.
A series of unfortunate events ensue including a false emergency call, an aggressive tirade with a racist taxi driver, an unromantic moment in bed, a flood situation on the domestic front and a bad case of hangover.
The following morning for breakfast, Marion spots an ex-lover and acts hostile throwing words towards the guy in public. Jack restrains her but feels that her sudden burst of anger doesn't make any sense and inexcusable. He then confronts her of hiding her affair with Mathieu which he found out via text message. With their incessant argument reaching fever pitch, the two took a time out and decided to cool off for awhile.
Back at the apartment that evening, she finds him waiting for her there. Then comes the big talk, laying all the cards down as the tone of their voices gradually change ahead. Both came to realise how the span of their relationship got broken down in just mere two days and how they were off-rhythm together seeing that they are in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
"There's a moment in life where you can't recover anymore from another breakup. And even if this person bugs you 60% of the time, well you still can't live without him. And even if he wakes you up everyday by sneezing right in your face, well, you love his sneezes more than anyone else's kisses."
– Marion
I must say that the script was cleverly written and the accompanying soundtrack does its job quite well in every scene as it simply goes along with the story. It's a fresh take romance mixed with culture clashes and an insight on stereotypical behaviour. Delpy's work is reminiscent to that of Woody Allen's style of quick-as-whip anecdotes and psychoanalytical diatribes. This is definitely a must-see film for anyone who's a sucker for romantic comedies.
** This story is taken from my old blog – popcorn sessions. **
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Photos via Fandango, Tribute, World Movies DB
