What’s New Pussycat?

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This film is absolutely hilarious. A very young and potent Peter O’Toole is having trouble with the ladies. Every girl he meets wants him. Poor fellow. He goes to see Dr. Fritz Fassbender (Peter Sellers) to help him, for he believes himself to be in love with his neighbour Carole (Romy Schneider).

Carole wants the two of them to get married, but O’Toole’s character Michael James wants to have some more fun before he settles down. He goes out every night to meet women (such as Bond girl Ursula Andress and the gorgeous Capucine), which is making Carole rather angry. She turns to Michael’s friend Victor (Woody Allen) because she knows that he loves her.

What’s New Pussycat is crazy and confusing, but a lot of fun. The characters are wildly overdrawn (for example, Peter Sellers speaks with a sort of Austrian accent and is wearing what is obviously a wig) and the dialogues are mad (Michael: “Pussycat from the sky. I can’t resist you!” Girl: “Don’t resist. Capitulate!”). It is Woody Allen’s feature film début (writing and acting in it) – a really impressive start to his long career!

The film inspired me to draw this little cartoon. 😉

2 Days in Paris

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This is a sweet little comedy about two lovers in Paris. It is quite different from the normal love stories. Very straightforward, a lot of dialogue and two main characters who are absolutely believable. Not too cheesy or overly romantic. Genuine people in a real setting.The American Jack (Adam Goldberg) and the originally Parisian Marion (Julie Delpy) have been together for two years. After a lovely trip to Venice they stay at her parents’ house in Paris for two days. Sounds romantic?! Well, Marion has a lot of ex-lovers, and to Jack’s annoyance, they all seem to be in Paris.

The dialogue is absolutely hilarious. Marion is constantly talking, while Jack is moaning non-stop. Although very annoying, Adam Goldberg is truly wonderful and awkwardly funny.

Written, directed, produced and acted by Julie Delpy. What an accomplishment! It is definitely a film worth watching. It is so refreshing to see a film about a couple who are already going out together. I am so tired of falling-in-love stories.

 

99 Francs (39,90)

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Very French, very hip, very snappy. This film is a cynical criticism of the world of advertising.

Octave Parango (Jean Dujardin) has it all: good looks, women, drugs and his dream job. He has a top position at an important advertising emporium in Paris.

Probably on purpose there is not much of a story. The plot and the characters are very superficial. There is never a deeper bond between the characters and the audience. Octave is flat, dislikable, and his character doesn’t develop much during the course of the film. I think it must be intentional to demonstrate the shallowness of this industry. I like the idea behind it, but I would rather watch a film with a bit more depth.

The film is unbelievably well-made (directed by Jan Kounen). I am sure the filmmakers must have worked in advertising before making this film.The transitions between the scenes are exciting and different. Every shot is perfect and well planned. Basically it is like watching one long advert.

99 Francs is entertaining and fun but I believe that it is mostly of interest to people who are interested in film. On the whole I think it is a film that every film student should watch. There are a lot of great ideas to steal from it ;).

Marie Antoinette

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This Film is by far the pinkest and fluffiest film I’ve ever seen. It’s a love letter to cake, champagne, parties and gambling. It got pretty bad reviews when it first came out and I have to say the first time I saw Marie Antoinette I didn’t really like it. But after reading the biography it is based on (by Antonia Fraser) I started to fall in love with the film. Sofia Coppola really knows how to convey the feeling of having absolutely nothing to do. Plus the costumes are amazing! I also quite like the mix of a historical piece with with modern music and fairly contemporary language.

Tip: The best way to watch this film is with champagne and cake!

(Photo: French cake/ Ness)

Paris, je t’aime

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I couldn’t agree more with a title. I’ve always been fascinated by Paris. And now there is a whole film dedicated to the city of love! It is a compilation of eighteen short films by twenty-one leading directors. There are quite a few famous actors in it as well. (Such as Juliette Binoche, Natalie Portman, Elijah Wood, Emily Mortimer and many others). It’s really fun to watch and because there are so many little stories, there is something in it for everyone. Most of the stories are (of course!) about love, or the lack of love. I couldn’t even say which sequence I like best, there are just too many…

In my view the film is like the city itself: diverse, romantic and beautiful.

(Photo: Paris/Ness 2008 )