Wes Craven directs a romantic comedy? A funny Mime? Barbet Schroeder sells Asian Hair Products to a kickboxing beautician? Only in PARIS, JE T’AIME.  First released at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, 17 World Class directors descended on Paris each to shoot a short about the different districts.  The result is a kaleidoscope of tales that hinge on various definitions of “Love”

In the past there has been this kind of experiment in NEW YORK STORIES and FOUR ROOMS.  But it has never been attempted on this grand of a scale. Naturally, I had some favorites namely “Bastille” by Isabel Coixet in which an adulterer discovers that he truly loves his wife but only after she has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Sergio Castellito gives a heartbreaking performance that is also quite funny. A delicate balance is achieved.  “Tour Eiffel” is a metaphor for being comfortable in your own skin, even if your skin is strangled by the uniform of a mime. A craftsman of the most despised art finds out that being true to himself can reap rewards. Richard LaGravenese’s “Pigalle” is a mystery that is never fully revealed until the final frame of the film. Wes Craven shows a lighter touch with “Pere-Lachaise” and it is a real treat to see another side of him. 

Like cinematic speed dating, I found myself glancing at my watch for a few. In “Place Des Victoires” (with Juliet Binoche, Willem Dafoe and directed by Nobuhiro Suwa) a woman’s mourning is soothed by an ethereal cowboy and left me cold.  “Fauborg Saint-Denis” by Tom Tykwer, a story of a blind student who falls for an actress (Natalie Portman) comes off as pretentious. In “Parc Monceau” (written by Alfonsno Cuaron) a great script is marred by a terrible (and possibly drunken) performance by Nick Nolte. 

Overall it’s a fascinating film Recently, I discussed it with several colleagues and not one of us agreed on which short is the best or, for that matter, the worst, Truly, there is something for everyone.  Each viewer will find their own personal gem.  Some of the shorts I didn’t care for were of my colleagues favorites. Some of my favorites were discarded by others as the worst. Everything is open to interpretation.

It’s a very romantic film. It is a film that you will want to take that someone special to. Have fun with it.  Smuggle in a bottle of Bordeaux (in art houses they rarely care), some cheese and enjoy PARIS, JE T’AIME.

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