A romantic comedy set in Paris. A couple visiting the girl's parents decide the fate of their relationship.
Julie Delpy makes her debut as writer-director in 2 Days in Paris” and co-stars with Adam Goldberg (Jack). Her father, Albert Delpy plays her French father on screen. Delpy, the lovely blonde goddess combined with the tough, tattooed New Yorker make for a fun unpredictable couple in the romantic city of Paris.
What Delpy creates is an unusual cross between and Meet the Fockers and Before Sunset except directed with Parisian pizzazz. Meaning, she adds an intellectually sensual angle, of course. The couple arrives in Paris and encounters a group of Bush supporters at the airport. They are wearing tee shirts saying “Bush Cheney ‘04” When they asked Jack where the Louvre was located, Jack intentionally misdirects them to a building miles away. His reasoning was that wanted them to see something other than the Mona Lisa and get some culture in them along the way. He despises the French and the audience can tell he is quite the lefty. Delpy’s father, however, is quite another story. He’s hates pollution so his solution is to key as many cars as possible whenever he goes out. Jack’s neurotic tendencies skyrocket whenever he is around her father; everything from allergies to sudden tripping. He bears a strong resemblance to Woody Allen.
When Delpy’s mother boiled rabbit for lunch, Jack was mortified. More could have been done with this scene. Instead of just quizzing Jack on literature, getting into politics would have been interesting conversation. The film suffers a disconnect between Americans and the French. Much is missed or rather lost. When Americans make films about Paris, such topics go unnoticed because of the inability to communicate.
Regardless of world events, Delpy stays in stride and keeps her audience laughing at Parisians. No sooner have the happy couple arrived and Jack is suspicious of his lady love’s ex-boyfriends who seem to be popping up at every corner, sending text messages that he cannot read (because they are in French), and wondering if there are simply other men she just has not mentioned to him.
The film is a situational comedy at best. The editing could have been better. However, Delpy delivers an entertaining film about a couple finding their way, living in the moment, and trying to decide if they want their next moments to be with each other. The film’s last scene is dramatic and asks “Would you stick with someone who annoys you 60% of the time?” Watch the film to find out!
