Moral of the story is the coward wins the girl

Rating: 8/10 (2 July 2005)

What struck me about this overall solid movie was the unbridled and shameless chutzpah of Paris and its contrast with the real heroes of the film (his brother Hector and, of course, Achilles). Paris' appalling lack of character is defined from the start through his willingness to drag two countries into war over a vaguely defined itch for Helen. This is followed later in the film by his pigeon-hearted exit into the arms of his brother who reluctantly rescues Paris from the duel he himself started with Menelaus in a half-hearted attempt to take some responsibility for the war he created. Even when Paris belatedly takes up arms with his fellow Trojans in the final battle against the Greeks, it is only to take pot shots with his archery set behind the safety and comfort afforded by his infantrymen. Befitting the artlessness of his character, he only manages to fatally wound Achilles after Achilles rescues Briseis - a Trojan - from some manhandling Greeks and as he is in her embrace.
I'm a little rusty on the Illiad, so I'm not sure if Paris is traditionally portrayed in such a gutless manner. As portrayed in this film, he's one of the most cowardly characters I can recall seeing, but the positive side of this is it makes him a good - if frustrating to watch - foil to the true heroes of the film.