AT THE MOVIES: A short and sweet love poem to Paris

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jun 24, 2007 | by MARK ADAMS

PARIS, JE T'AIME (15)

THE STARS: Steve Buscemi, Miranda Richardson, Juliette Binoche, Nick Nolte, Elijah Wood, Natalie Portman, Gerard Depardieu.

THE STORY: Eighteen short films (from directors as varied as the Coen brothers, Wes Craven, Gurinder Chadha and Gus Van Sant) all weaving different film-making styles as they each craft a love story about Paris.

WHAT'S GOOD? As usual with these sorts of compilations, some of the films work better than others and, equally, much will depend on personal taste. Some try to focus on the romantic beauty of Paris, while others try to add a political bent... plus we get vampires and mime!

Naturally the city offers a wonderful backdrop and there are moments to cherish here, but in truth the best mini-movie comes from the Coen brothers, with Steve Buscemi in hilarious form as an American tourist who has a strange encounter with an odd couple at a Metro station.

WHAT'S BAD? When you come across a short film that really irritates - and there are a few - you just get annoyed. The fact there is no common sense to a storyline is mildly frustrating... but at least you know each one is only six minutes long, so another will be along fairly soon.

HOW LONG IS IT? An intriguing 120 mins.

FINAL VERDICT: Evocative homage to Paris works well in places.

Opens Friday, June 29 3