Man, that Julie Delpy can do it all.

Not only does the French actress play the romantic lead in her latest film, “2 Days in Paris,” but she also directed the picture. And wrote it. And edited it. And composed the music for it. And hawks Raisinets before each showing.

And she has an often-charming, if sometimes rambling, romantic comedy to show for it all.

It tells the story of Marion (Delpy) and Jack (Adam Goldberg), who have just wrapped up a trip to Venice that would have been romantic if not for the decidedly unromantic protestations of Jack’s digestive system. But rather than end their trip on that gurgling note, they’re going to stop for a two-day visit to Paris, Marion’s hometown, before returning to New York.

And if there’s a place that can add a little spark to a relationship it’s the City of Light, right? Ordinarily, yes, but Marion and Jack are a special case, and their trip to Paris appears doomed from the start.

Adam Goldberg ( “Saving Private Ryan” and the locally shot “Dejà Vu”) nails the role of Jack, who is much more of a nebbish than his full beard and heavily tattooed arms would suggest. Much of the film’s humor capitalizes on the inevitable culture clash as the high-strung Jack feels his way around Paris, propelled by his acerbic mutterings and multiple neuroses.

Think of him as Felix Unger to Delpy’s Oscar Madison (had Felix and Oscar been sleeping together). Though Marion’s not exactly a slob, she’s far too lackadaisical about things such as mold on the walls of her Paris apartment for Jack’s taste. (”Look at it, it’s green,” she tells him in a misguided effort at calming him. “It’s like blue cheese. It’s probably good for you.”)

But they love each other, despite their constant verbal sparring that, while frequently entertaining, often comes off as uncomfortably mean-spirited. Those jibes never seem to bother Marion or Jack as much as they probably should, but they hint at an underlying problem in their relationship.

Things aren’t helped by Marion’s rude post-hippie parents — played by Delpy’s real-life parents, veteran actors Marie Pillet and Albert Delpy — who seem to relish despising Jack’s American-ness. The real problem, however, is the parade of former boyfriends encountered by Marion during their visit. To a one, they’re all far too friendly with Marion for Jack’s taste, and it doesn’t take long for him to become suspicious of their intentions.

Delpy shows an intriguingly artistic behind-the-lens touch, though the film, like Jack and Marion, often feels a touch aimless, wandering about without much of a plot to rely upon. Particularly in the last act, it undergoes a dramatic — and jarring — change in tone that threatens to derail things. It’s almost as if Delpy’s trying to force the film to be something it’s not.

But all’s well that ends well, and in the end, “2 Days in Paris” manages to be a pleasant enough diversion.

Source: nola.com