sicilyan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1LGpZVr6lQ

'Two women are sitting in a Catskills resort hotel circa, the 1950's and one says to the other, "I don't like this place -- and the food is awful." Her friend responds, "Yes, and they don't serve enough of it." '

This comment is a metaphor for life: quite difficult with many travails and tragedies... But, we want more of it anyway.

In "Annie Hall" the awful hotel with the terrible food is the metaphor for life; in the
French film the city of Paris is the metaphor for all of life; sans Paris is the end of life -- death!

The generous use of vivacious color speaks of all our lives with the potential of intermittent joy, fufillment, sensuality and the possibility of hope.

Then there are the two brothers: one a not so stabile university professor who has great passion for youth and for the impossible; and, the other who is "normal" -- but ironically is jealous of his sibling because of his (often unrealistic) urges and behaviors. The professor frequently covets
the impossible; as his sibling bemones his too middle class rigidity.

Yes, the middle-aged professor texts a young student. ['Unbelievable! She is not only so beautiful. It's not fair -- so young also.]
He becomes involved with her while deluding himself of the inherant impossibility of such an affair lasting. But for a few moments, he is young again and shares his passion with her youth. (Something his "normal" brother would never do.)

Then, reality stikes with cruelty, when he observes his tender youth kissing someone her age through the glass of a restaurant. Youth!

This film is frquently obcessed with random death and a protaganist (the dancer) who learns that he has a serious heart disorder; and, only a transplant offers the possibility of saving him -- with only a 40% chance of surviving.

There are only glimses of a young black from Camaroon who is invited by a French woman to illegally cross the Mediterainan to go to Paris. He asks a Frenchman, "Should I go?"

We all know "to be or, not to be." That is Hamlet's question -- and, the question of this film.

"To be" is to live in the dynamic, technicolor
Paris; "not to be" is either not 'live.' Or, symbolic boredom or death.

All the answers are clear in the film. Though it never tells you the disposition of the dancer. Tha African does decide to make this treacherous journey to France. And what happens...

And, even though the professor is so wounded when he loses the girl he could never have... We know that his impulse control will never be under control. And his "normal" brother can never go after Paris with the same intensity as his sibling.

Paris or death? And, death will eventually visit us all -- often with no warning. If you suspect that this film is morbid, well you're probably right.

But, the eclectic use of music, gorgeous views of Paris, the genuine pleasure which so many of the characters enjoy at moments... They tell you the theme of "Paris."

Life is a mystery; yes -- with great pain and pleasure. And, always the resolution is the end for all of us.

But, then there are those aspects of Paris -- well there are an infinite number of Parises.
So, get what you can until...

...Anyway, I recommend this movie for all people who want to get a feel for what Paris is all about!

cigalechanta

I have seen the film. It stars Juliette Binoche who plays the Dancer's sister. A sad tale.

sicilyan

I love the movie and fall in love with,,Melanie Laurent,,


I love Paris.....




http://www.merlinsilk.com/blog/wp-co...ris_france.jpg

kerouac

It was indeed a good melancholic movie, although a bit stereotypical in parts.

sicilyan

Whoa, kerouac. this is what I would call an addiction. you are on this forum at 6:30 am before you drink coffee or go to the B... before you go to work. looks like you need a young girlfriend. find her.








http://www.merlinsilk.com/blog/wp-co...ris_france.jpg





what's the matter people ?...nobody likes this movie ???

MademoiselleFifi

I loved the last line. It's what I think every time I look around at other people in Paris-- the ones who won't have to go home in a week, a day, or an hour-- "They don't know how lucky they are."

sicilyan

Its totally different when you live there compared to visiting there as a tourist. I just want to live there if I am rich and don't have to work...this is not a city to live if you have to work for a living...I was over there last year for 30 days and would see the same people going to work each day in the morning then coming home in the evening...I feel sorry for them and don't want that life...its totally different as a tourist because you get to enjoy the city with having to worry about going to work the next day...because you are on vacation...my comments comes from personal experience...I want to move back to this city but not if I have to work. I LOVE PARIS!!!!!

kerouac

There is nothing wrong with working in Paris, compared to working in a lot of other places. It seems to me that the film showed quite a few people who work, and they did not necessarily suffer from doing so.

ThinGorjus

I have a BA in English from Dartmouth.

I read your post 3 times and I still didn't understand it.

Don't get a job writing movie reviews.

Thin