Although Julie Delpy's "2 Days in Paris," a story of a couple's venture to the European capital, is not the most original movie to hit theaters this summer, it reminds us ever-so-comically of the endearing challenges and pitfalls of relationships that never fail to occur on either side of the Atlantic.
While the film cannot surmount its tired romantic premise, it does avoid a lot of clich?©s. The well-written dialogue brings out a unique chemistry between the two perpetually arguing lovers who appear terribly mismatched, yet somehow perfect for each other. For anyone who has ever been on a disastrous holiday with a significant other, "2 Days" may bring back some awful memories - but not without a good laugh.
Before heading back to New York City, Marion (played by Julie Delpy) and Jack (Adam Goldberg) stop in her hometown of Paris for the last leg of their European vacation. After their not-so-romantic getaway in Venice was ruined by diarrhea, the couple faces an entirely new set of challenges in France that jeopardize the future of their relationship.
Upon their arrival, Marion introduces Jack to her eccentric parents, Anna (Marie Pillet) and Jeannot (Albert Delpy), whose constant discussion of sex makes Jack very uncomfortable. To make matters worse, the pair keeps running into Marion's seductive ex-boyfriends during their brief tour of Paris, throwing Jack into fits of jealousy and mistrust. The film brilliantly captures the culture clash between a French woman and her American boyfriend, ultimately testing whether or not they are willing to overcome their differences for the sake of love.
Delpy, who acted, directed, wrote, produced, edited and composed the music for "2 Days" clearly wanted to take a multi-dimensional approach to the film. The movie will please American and French audiences alike, for it doesn't take one particular side; Delpy mocks the customs and stereotypes of both countries equally.
Marion, the protagonist and narrator of the story, is a French photographer familiar with American and European mores. Her sensitivity and tact make her a likeable middle-ground character with admirable intentions. On the other hand, her boyfriend Jack is a cynical New Yorker who frequently squares off with anyone who appears different or threatening.
For instance, in the opening scene, Jack sends a group of obnoxious American tourists sporting "Bush-Cheney '04" T-shirts in the wrong direction when they ask him which way the Louvre Museum is. The fish-out-of-water comedy stems primarily, however, from the tension between Jack and the Parisians.
The well-rounded cast of colorful secondary characters paints a hysterical picture of Paris. Marion's father is a fat, jolly Frenchman who owns an art gallery which exhibits strange sexual pieces. Her mother is a housewife who openly informs Jack that she was part of the Free Love movement in the 1960s. Both are played by Delpy's real life parents, which explains why their acting is so convincing.
The young lovers come across a variety of taxi drivers that range from flirtatious Casanovas to unpleasant bigots. While Delpy does play with stereotypes, she still manages to create a realistic and charming portrayal of the French capital.
Of all the odd people Jack meets, his encounter with an anti-globalization activist named Lukas is by far one of the funniest scenes in the movie. After approaching Jack in a fast food joint, Lukas offers relationship advice before setting the place aflame. The absurdity interspersed throughout the film affirms the movie's status as part of the romantic-comedy genre.
The film's weakest point is its basic plotline and far too conventional ending. The all-around solid performances and strong character development, however, make for an enjoyable romp through gay Par-ee.
