Some movies with a Paris connection are romantic, and suitable for a Valentine’s Day viewing. In these movies, the city can be seductive, beckoning to those who know it well and to those who have never visited. On film in the daytime, the sidewalks and walkways are soft white; the buildings a honey brown; the river pearly gray. At night, soft golden lights outline streets, major landmarks and business and apartment buildings. Even in animated movies like Ratatouille, the city is poetic and beautiful. Paris and romance are combined in many movies, including the following six.
Love Stories With A Connection To The City Of Light
An American In Paris (1951, Academy Award Winner for Best Picture). The city is a bright, colorful background for the adventures of Jerry and Adam, two expatriate artists who are struggling not only professionally, but romantically. At first there appears to be only unrequited love: everyone longs for someone who longs for someone else, albeit cheerfully. The characters resolve their feelings through elaborate song and dance productions, with music by George Gerswhin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin.
Children of Paradise (1945). (Les Enfants Du Paradis in French). Baptiste, a mime, and Garance, an actress, face obstacles -- most of their own making -- as they determine their feelings for each other. Baptiste is sure he is in love; perhaps the only clue to Garance’s feelings is a lengthy shot of her face during one of many amorous declarations: she is deeply touched, yet somehow not quite ready for this, or maybe feels undeserving of such devotion. They live, work and play in the theater world of 1840s Paris. Directed by Marcel Carné, the black and white film was made during the German occupation of France.
French Kiss (1995). Meg Ryan plays Kate, a shrill yet funny woman who masters her fear of flying and travels to Paris in order to confront her cheating husband. On the plane she tolerates Luc (played by Kevin Kline with a French accent), who makes a living committing petty crimes in America and France. Most of the movie focuses on their silly bantering about everything from cheese to relationships to vineyards. Between their tiffs, Paris is an elusive treasure: watch for the Eiffel Tower playing hide-and-seek with Kate.
Mama, There’s A Man In Your Bed (1989). (Romuald et Juliette in French). Romuald, the president of a yogurt company, is surprised when his business is framed and accused of food poisoning. Juliette, the cleaning woman, gives him information she has discovered while taking care of the offices of his indiscreet and disloyal co-workers. At first Romuald is dismissive, but later changes his mind and decides to hang out with her and her children as they research the scandal. Friendship might turn to romance but Juliette may be too proud and strong for that; and Romuald’s life is full of his wife, his mistress, his wife’s lover, their children, and their beautiful home. The Paris connection is one of the many comic moments in the film.
Paris, je t’aime (2006). Twenty-two directors, eighteen short films connected by their first and last scenes, and one city: Paris. Subjects include just about everything, including several romantic storylines: a vampire; a gay couple; a young man dying in front of the Place des fêtes, and still trying to flirt with a woman who is offering assistance; a few break-ups; a woman bravely describing her visit in poorly-pronounced French; and a man getting pummeled by a bickering couple after ignoring advice in his guidebook about how to avoid altercations. Each segment is lovingly filmed.
Ratatouille (2007). Although not a romance per se, Pixar’s computer-animated film celebrates love of good food, excellence in culinary arts, and the city itself. A young garbage boy struggles to survive until he discovers a rat in the kitchen where he works (the boy later develops a friendship with the only woman employed in the kitchen). The rat just happens to know how to cook like a professional, and they work as a team to produce quality food and service. They hope to keep their secret forever, but this may not be possible. Even in their animated world, Paris glows and shines around them. A stunning “crane shot” reveals blocks of Haussmann buildings, establishing the mood of the city.
An Irresistible City
In film, Paris reaches out to viewers, luring residents home and calling to potential visitors. Like any skilled lover the city inspires admiration, curiosity and devotion -- a perfect subject for film fans on Valentine’s Day.
Sources:
- An American In Paris. Director Vincente Minnelli. Perf. Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, 1951. Running time: 113 minutes.
- Children of Paradise. Director Marcel Carné. Perf. Arletty, Jean Louis Barrault, Pierre Renoir, María Casares. Pathé Consortium Cinema, 1945. Running time: 190 minutes.
- French Kiss. Director Lawrence Kasdan. Perf. Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline, Timothy Hutton, Jean Reno. Polygram Filmed Entertainment. Running time: 111 minutes.
- Mama, There’s A Man In Your Bed. Director Coline Serreau. Perf. Daniel Auteuil, Firmine Richard, Pierre Vernier, Maxime Leroux, Gilles Privat. Cinea, 1989. Running time: 108 minutes.
- Paris, je t’aime. Directors Olivier Assayas and 21 more. Perf. Florence Muller, Bruno Podalydes, Leïla Bekhti, Cyril Descours. Victoires International and Pirol Stiftung, 2006. Running time: 120 minutes.
- Ratatouille. Director Brad Bird. Perf. Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Brian Dennehy. Pixar Animation Studios, 2007. Running time: 111 minutes.
Christina Guerrero - Christina Guerrero is an American journalist and writer. Her published credits include 98 nonfiction print articles.
