Paris

Movie name: Paris
Year of release: 2008
Director: Cedric Klapisch
Stars: Juliette Binoche, Romain Duris, Fabrice Luchini, Francois Cluzet, Melanie Laurent, Albert Dupontel, Karin Viard, Gilles Lellouche, Julie Ferrier, Olivia Bonamy, Annelise Hesme
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:Cedric Klapisch has carved his reputation with the hits that were "Un Air de Famille", "L'Auberge Espagnole" and "Les Poupees Russes". "Paris" again uses his trademark of following the lives of different people who end up intertwining and affecting each other (very much in the tradition of Robert Altman's mosaic films). "Paris" introduces us to Pierre a young dancer who discovers he has a possible fatal heart disease. He decides to pass that information to his sister, Elise, a single mother of three who works as a social worker. Elise decides to try to help Pierre as much as possible, namely trying to find him a date with a young woman who lives in the opposite building. This young woman is actually dating two men simultaneously: an older college professor and a young man. The college professor, Roland, has a brother whose wife is expecting a baby. All these people's lives are connected through Pierre and his passing days observing others. "Paris" succeeds on many levels, particularly in the close relationship shared between Elise and Pierre - and much credit goes to the fantastic actors that are Juliette Binoche and Romain Duris. Their complicity makes their sibling relationship touching and believable. Some of the characters feel a bit underplayed, but this is a film that tries to showcase the mosaic of relationships that can exist within a small universe and naturally some get downplayed. Still it's an interesting slice of life with a very good group of actors bringing everything to life. A film worth seeing.