Ok, here’s the weird phenomena. During the movie Lost in Paris (directed by Dominique Abel and Fiona Gordon), I turned to my friend Carrie and said, “Sorry I blew it, we could’ve been watching Sean Penn smoke a doobie.” (To be explained momentarily). But this morning, as I researched the writer (aforementioned Dominique Abel), I find myself wanting to see his other films: The Fairy and Rumba.
First, what’s with the Sean Penn reference, did I have a chance to go to Haiti? No. Fast Times at Ridgemont High was playing on a big screen in Sarasota (and also nationwide for two special nights). But being a good girl and researching briefly on Rotten Tomatoes, critics had cited Lost in Paris at 89% and certain reviewers compared it to Buster Keaton (if you hear rumbling that’s Buster rolling over in his grave) and Tati’s Mon Oncle. (Jacques Tati is also writhing 6 feet under).
This comparison is as ludicrous as saying LaLa Land was the worthy comeback of great musicals! First, there was nothing real about the stunts. The Eiffel Tower scene was totally cgi. Second, though Abel used color creatively, there were plenty of dead scenes where nothing was going on artistically. This could have been a better film, by adding color to every scene, creating more absurdist moments, and developing characters that moves us.
Instead it was akin to a 90 minute cartoon played out by humans.
Still as reported, I find myself somewhat endeared by the combination of Dominique and Fiona, proof that at the very least these two have good on screen chemistry. I’ll see if my friends at the Selby Library have either of his past films.
In conclusion, I’d say, go if you’re feeling down and need a bit of a light distraction, but enter knowing you need to have very low expectations.
