Date: 15 March 2007 10:30:03
The third film I've seen as part of the French Film Festival. And a definite shift in story from the two previous films.
Dans Paris (Inside Paris) is amazing: both in terms of the story [after breaking up with his girlfriend, Paul moves back to Paris to an apartment with his brother Jonathan and father: Paul remains depressed and housebound while Jonathan travels around Paris bedding women], the acting and also the wonderful filming and the energetic and delightful soundtrack. Romain Duris (who plays Paul) has been in a few movies I have seen, and I remember him especially from L'auberge espagnole (The Spanish Apartment) and its sequel Les poupées russes (Russian Dolls). He plays a wonderfully melancholy character, with the occasional smile and laugh; Louis Garrel's devil-may-care Jonathan is a laugh-a-minute to watch; and the father, played by Guy Marchand, is a joy to watch as well. A draining film, emotionally, but very, very rewarding.
When I got home, a nice surprise awaited: my latest books and CD from the St Vladimir's Seminary Press Book Club: Longing for God: Orthodox Reflections on Bible, Ethics, and Liturgy; Sweeter than Honey: Orthodox Thinking on Dogma and Truth; and a CD with a talk by Fr Thomas Hopko, Praying with Icons. Looking forward to reading, and listening, to them.