2 Days in Paris is about a couple returning from Venice to New York and decide to stop in the girlfriend’s home in Paris for a couple of days to rest and hang out with her family and friends. Unfortunately the two days are a complete disaster because the boyfriend realizes how distant they are from one another. The lesson is don’t go on vacation with someone that you don’t want to break up with, but as a fan of The Amazing Race, I already learned this lesson.
If an American man made 2 Days in Paris, I would characterize it as filled with stereotypes about French people as sex obsessed weirdos, but Julie Delpy, who is French, wrote, starred and directed it so maybe the French people that she knows fits the stereotypes. The film’s intention is to be a broad comedy, not necessarily realistic, but it is so mean spirited and realistic, I had no idea until Delpy shows us what happened to the Americans.
To be fair, 2 Days in Paris is not just filled with stereotypes, but also reveals that the French are deeply anti-Semitic, Islamophobic and anti-social. I was annoyed that her health concerns, which were ridiculous, were immediately taken seriously, but his complaints were not. At least her angry outbursts were compelling, and the odd, silent interaction on the train worked. The only person that comes across as completely straightforward and trustworthy is Jean Luc, who is an adorable, fluffy black and white cat. Daniel Bruhl plays my favorite human character and stole the entire film.
2 Days in Paris starts with first person narration by Delpy and illustrated tangents about her life, which is largely abandoned until the end of the film. It is such inconsistencies that fail to establish a rhythm to the narrative, which is essential in steering an audience in any attempt to make comedy. I liked that she understood that she was sabotaging herself, but her boyfriend’s reaction to her having a past seemed slightly crazy, and it was annoying that he did not notice that her sister was manipulating him.
2 Days in Paris was like watching a train wreck, and the only reason that I watched it and would recommend is to fully appreciate how wonderful 2 Days in New York, the sequel, is.