Julie Delpy produces, writes, edits, directs, composes and stars in 2 Days in Paris, an amazing accomplishment for any person. Because the entire fate rests on the shoulders of just one person, these types of films have a tendency to either bomb or totally succeed.

Thankfully, 2 Days in Paris is an outstanding achievement. It is at once personal and universal and a cinematic wonder. The movie tells the story of Jack (Adam Goldberg) and Marion (Delpy), a modern, educated couple that are bitterly sarcastic, have no intentions of ever having children but are completely in love. They are just returning from Venice and have planned to stay with Marion’s parents in Paris for two days before returning to New York.

Really there are two stories within the film. Marion is dealing with meeting old lovers and introducing Jack to her parents. She speaks in French nearly the entire time except to Jack. Intertwined in this story is Jack’s escalating belief that Marion is cheating on him. He does not speak any French and is just trying to make sense of what is going on. Either story is a treat.

Cinematically, the camera plays the role of an invisible third character. The film has no staged lighting and no real staged shots, a technique known as consummate cinémavérité. The camera is hand-held and digital, and it is constantly on the faces of the main characters. Oddly, this is not at all claustrophobic or voyeuristic. The audience feels like a part of the relationship. Strengthening this documentary-esque perspective is that it appears that the film was shot on actual Parisian streets, unstaged. The shots are long with figures moving in front of the lens and occasionally the camera is even allowed to go slightly out of focus. The editing does even more to bolster this because there are so few cuts.

All of these technical aspects would not matter if the film’s plot were horrendous, but the film is truly hilarious. Goldberg possesses the sarcasm and neuroses of a young Woody Allen, but he is also able to show the pain that often comes with a committed relationship. Like any good couple, Jack and Marion always have something to bicker about. Like overhearing a couple bicker in a restaurant, it is absolutely hilarious.

2 Days in Paris is a must-see film. It follows in the footsteps of Breathless and Before Sunrise, which show that while relationships are serious, they can also be humorous.

Source: thepost.baker.ohiou.edu