Movies About or Around Europe: "2 Days in Paris", "Le Week-End"

As part of my pre-Europe research, preparation and inspiration, I've decided to start watching more films set in, filmed in, or themed around European countries, whether in English or foreign languages. In the last week or so I watched two movies which could  more or less function as a double feature of dysfunctional love in Paris: "2 Days in Paris" and "Le Week-End".

Both films are about couples who are having some relationship problems spending a couple days in Paris and facing a moment where they have to decide whether to stick together or break up.

"Le Week-End"

I watched "Le Week-End" first, and I'll just say - it's kind of depressing. I can say this without even giving away the ending, because you'd have to be cinematically tone-deaf to expect a picture perfect Hollywood ending out of this story. It's not unremittingly bleak, but if you saw "Before Midnight" and thought that was depressing, this is more like "Before 3:30 a.m." time-wise. Things get darker before the dawn. The couple in the movie, Meg and Nick, are played by Lindsay Duncan and Jim Broadbent and they're facing such problems as unemployment, disagreements over their son, and the lack of a sex life. Their trip gets off to a bumpy start as the couple seem to have very different opinions about how to travel well. Paris, rather than a site for romance, becomes a site for bickering and soon a site for despair and breakdown. Eventually a third figure, an old student of Nick's played by Jeff Goldblum, enters the scene. His appearance is a relief, if only because you want to spend time with someone who isn't so completely unhappy. I won't give away the ending except to say that it's all complicated, and you eventually do see what drew this couple together as well as the forces that are breaking them apart. This doesn't necessarily mean, however, that you yourself would particularly fancy being married to either one of them. Still, it's an interesting and complex character study of a long-term marriage. And it's a reminder that wherever you go, you take your problems with you. Choose your travel partners well.

The less-than-happy couple of "Le Week-End."

"2 Days in Paris"

"2 Days in Paris" is a considerably more upbeat story written by, directed by and starring Julie Delpy of the aforementioned "Before Midnight." Funnily enough, if "Le Week-End" could have been "Before 3:30 a.m.", this movie could serve well as "Before 10 p.m." Delpy and her co-star, Adam Goldberg, play Marion and Jack - a couple who have been together for 2 years and function like a pretty average couple at that landmark. They're comfortable together - comfortable enough to fight - but they still have a lot to surprise each other with, and they haven't sustained the deep hurts that sometimes come with marriage, children and more time. Hence, the movie dips into darkness, but never too far. Between the witty dialogue and the offbeat cast of supporting characters - including Delpy's own parents playing her very strange but loveable parents - the tone of this movie is decidedly comedic.

Marion's mother (Marie Pillet - Delpy's real-life mother) breaks down after Marion gets angry at her for fattening up her cat, Jean-Luc on foie-gras. Delpy's parents' performances were one of the real joys of watching this film.

It should also be said that one gets the feeling that Julie Delpy's contributions to the Richard Linklater  trilogy (so far) of "Before Sunrise", "Before Sunset" and "Before Midnight" must be considerable, since her dialogue is very similar, but not in any way derivative or lesser. If anything, Delpy's dialogue is snappier and more realistic than the sometimes belabored long political or philosophical digressions of the Linklater films. That said, there's certainly a place for both films in the world. It's not as if there's a glut of films heavy on dialogue and character these days. Let me just add, in singing Delpy's praises, that she somehow managed to make a scene where a self-proclaimed "fairy" (as in the mystical kind) has a heart-to-heart conversation with Jack in a fast food restaurant seem realistic, funny and necessary. That's saying something.

In terms of a Paris inspiration this film was more effective than the removed and luxurious milieu of "Le Week-End." This was a Paris for real Parisians, with trips to the market, encounters with ex-boyfriends at parties and art galleries, bizarro taxi drivers, and appreciating the simple pleasures such as a celebratory day devoted to street musicians.  Hearing French spoken by natives was also a great feature of this film. I was reminded of the proper use of "Genial" and "on y va." For what it's worth I also learned some useful sexting phrases.

Overall, this film is a celebration of real love and real Paris, not the manufactured variety of either. The more I think about it and remember its simple charms, the more I love it.

Marion and Jack fighting near the Seine.