I Love Paris

Rating: Null/10 (7 October 2011)

It's hard to disagree that Woody Allen's last few films have lacked luster but that's not a word that could be applied to this valentine to the City of Light. It's taken its own sweet time to reach these shores and having now seen it I feel it has been slightly over-hyped by both critics and acquaintances who saw it several months ago in the US. Even so there is lots to enjoy here not least the opening montage which is truly breathtaking as shot after shot of the Paris everyone knows from postcards fill the screen then, subtly, these segue into another series, the same Paris but one which you'd only really know if you've been there and wandered off the tourist trails. The plot, such as it is, wastes no time in attempting an explanation for time travel we just accept - and in most cases are happy to do so - that it is possible, wish-fulfilment is one way of looking at it - so that in effect we get two Parees for the price of one (four, if you count brief excursions to La Belle Epoque and even further back). It helps if you know or have heard of half the characters but even if you haven't it won't really impair the pleasure in this ultimate feelgood entry.