This is not a simply love story by any means, this is a true love story that shows all the scars and troubles that real couples go through every day. Marion (Julie Delpy) is a native Parisian living in New York with her new long time boyfriend Jack (Adam Goldberg) just coming back from a trip to Venice. Before returning home to New York the couple has decided to spend a few days in Paris visiting Marion’s family and old friends. This is not nearly as simple as it sounds.
Jack is extremely neurotic and seems to be having absolute no fun at all despite Marion’s many attempts. Marion on the other hand cannot walk a block without running into someone she knows, usually an ex-boyfriend. Naturally this causes tension between the already bickering couple amplified by the fact that Jack does not know the language. Much of the film is done in French subtitles while Jack simply stares making every attempt to follow the conversations but it is clear he on the verge of cracking after the first day.
It is inevitable that many people will compare this film to Delpy’s previous American romance movies “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset” the latter taking place in Paris as well. That is not the case at all though many similarities do arise. “2 Days in Paris” is about the tearing away of a couple and the bonds that keep them together.
Many couples in Hollywood are meant to be idealized versions of ourselves with perfect skin, hair and bodies. Not so with Jack and Marion, Jack seems to be a chain smoker who is completely fine with sending a group of American tourists to the wrong destination in order to get a better place in a taxi line. Marion is manic depressive and has a massive retinal disorder that blocks most of her vision. Delpy’s point is clear, these are not perfect people these are real people.
Though shot on location Paris does not seem to be the main focus of the film, though the people most defiantly are. Delpy creates a Paris filled with very passionate, very sexual people. Sexuality is a big topic in this film and Delpy makes a point of not hiding from it. It is at this point where the American and French divide becomes clear, Jack is horrified by the openness of the French and never sure how to react to much of what is said. Though many are not openly prejudice to Americans it is clear that some of them are holding back.
This is a date film, without a doubt, but not the type that makes you want to make out afterwards. “2 Days in Paris” will make the viewer take a strong look at their partner and either run for the hills or truly appreciate them for who they are. Any film that can accomplish a feat like that deserves praise. This is unquestionably one of the best films of the year.
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