Favorite movies/books to get in the Paris state of mind?
 

Before I travel abroad, I always like to immerse myself in a bit of the culture beforehand.<BR><BR>What are everyone's favorite movies or books to get in the mindset for a trip to Paris?<BR><BR>For example, before going to Japan, I watched Kurosawa movies and some Anime. Before an Italy trip I watched Fellini and Benigni films. Get the idea?

French Movie: Lovers of the Bridge<BR><BR>A little dark but great sceanery - Seine River.

Michael,<BR><BR>Of course, Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast." I also like Art Buchwald's "I'll Always Have Paris," even though it's more about Art than it is about Paris!<BR><BR>For movies, try "An American in Paris." An oldie but a goodie.

I topped a couple of threads for you about Paris movies/books. You can do a text search for others.

I love Art's book, too, but also really enjoyed "Down & Out in London & Paris" by George Orwell (a lady on the plane thought it sounded too depressing - um well, no more depressing than Kerouac's "On the Road" - she was reading a Grisham novel, I don't think she knew who Orwell was).<BR><BR>Michael, there are several good French film/movie threads that can give you some great ideas (last year someone recommended "Ronin" to me and I have to give it a HUGE thumbs up - but still haven't been able to see all the suggestions yet). I think I'll top them for you. : )

Thanks, xxx, looks like you beat me to it!! : )

From Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnick. He and his wife and 2 children lived there for 3 yrs while he was a journalist for the New Yorker, I think. 2nd child was born in Paris. Good book b/c this transplanted New Yorker had some wonderful experiences which made me want to get up and move. Got lots of ideas about what to do and see in Paris. My kids like the Disney movie "Au Pair" and "Au Pair 2" silly story but filmed in France, etc recently and the geography puts you in the mood for Paris!

The Bourne Identity<BR>Films:<BR>Amelie<BR>Belle du Jour<BR>Ronin<BR><BR>Book:<BR>The Last Time I saw Paris-Elizabeth Adler<BR><BR><BR>

French Kiss and Amelie......two of my favorites.

National Lampoon's European Vacation

I really enjoyed DeJa Vu. Good scenes of Paris and England/London. I great little romance!

Movies: Until September, The Fatal Image, Frantic, Maigret (with Richard Harris)<BR><BR>Books: Maigret books<BR><BR>I'm not a fan of books that describe places "the gray river was like a flock of dying geese as they struggle to...". Hence, my affinity for gritty murder mysteries "the body lay on a shabby rug in a tiny room with a view of Sacre Coeur, through an even tinier and shabbier window". <BR>

"Until September"...ooo la la. One of the most romantic movies I've ever seen. Karen Black (Raiders of the Lost Ark) and this French actor who is soooo gorgeous.... Great Paris scenery and some in the countryside, too, and lots of French lines. I could no longer find it at the rental stores, so I bought it on Ebay.

jeanne,<BR>Karen ALLEN was in Raiders ! can you picture Karen Black in it, LOL???<BR><BR><BR>

Three mystery novels by Cara Black which give you a great feel for various neighborhoods and are a fun read.<BR>The melancholy novels of Eric Maria Remarque (Arch of Triumph) -Paris just before WWII, makes one appreciate those elderly folks walking the present streets; and the movie version with Bergman and Boyer.<BR>Hemingway's Moveable Feast<BR>Several anthologies on Paris (titles not at my fingertips)

Try the nonfiction Is Paris Burning? a 50s-60s offering co-written by a Frenchman and an American and published simulaneously in both countries, about how Paris was almost destroyed at Hitler's demonic request (hence the title; it's what he kept shouting to the officer who somehow managed to refuse to do it). Also, Le Divorce, a frothy, entertaining novel set at 12 rue Maitre Albert in the 5th--since we were staying at a B and B at 7 Maitre Albert, I loved the neighborhood connections.

I must agree with the post on "Until September". The man's name was Thierry something and he had the most amazing eyes and skin! A little skinny, but <BR>OOOOOO lalala is right!! I actually did find that video in one of my movie stores here. I believe it was Suncoast or something, but they had it. It was only 9.99 or something. How are the picks on Ebay by the way? I am looking for an old movie called "Heartbreakers" with Peter Coyote, Carol Wayne, and some others and it is out of print I believe. Never bought on Ebay either. Sorry for the subject change. I am going to France in a few weeks and I love to watch this movie before I go. Hoping to find Thierry!! :)<BR><BR>Enjoy!

<BR><BR>Books: "Paris to the Moon" - just finished it - loved it. Also, "Appetite for Life" - the wonderful biography of Julia Child - the entire book is great but I particularly enjoyed reading about her years in Paris. (Other old favourites are "Down and Out in London and Paris" and "A Moveable Feast".)<BR><BR>Films: "Amelie" - just saw it again for the second time - loved it even more. (I recommend picking up the soundtrack - lovely.) An old favourite that I haven't thought about in a while is "Diva" - saw this one a few times when it was first released - another great soundtrack.

I saw Amelie and loved it as well. Under the Sand is good too. Is the soundtrack to Amelie the nice instrumental French music you hear during the film? I tried to find my Mom a CD with that type of music and ended up with a music of all French songs with French words and I was going for the music alone. That's my fault for not reading French, but I tried to guess. We love the beautiful instrumental music they play in the films like Amelie. Any suggestions?

Make sure if you get "Deje Vu" - you get the one with Vanessa Redgrave. And yes it is wonderful and very romantic...with lots of beautiful scenery....GREAT story!!!...liked Amele very much. An excellent one is "Camille Claudelle" (Rodin's protege) also you must go to the Rodin musee in Paris!!! Also lovely grounds. Another great french flick is Isabelle Adjani in "Queen Margo".....I enjoyed "Jefferson in Paris" as well with Nick Nolte but not as good as the others.....