At last, an American in Paris (Bushman, the director) who delivers the best gist of the two worlds. As far as I know, it is the first time a gay film takes elements of french and American culture and locations, and gives a heart-warming, amusing, even if a bit sad feature. Here we are offered the telling, and not told the offering, as goes for a legion of gay films.
Jerome, a Parisian, after being, we gather, ditched by his boyfriend in a telling boyfriend-in-boyfriend-out Parisian manner, and in order to overcome his infatuation, decides to go to L.A. for Christmas, at first for vacation, then for reasons not quite pinned down that seem like going for a ride, or a slice of the American Dream.
I will not reveal the bunch of characters that cross his path, I will just say that we are glad we make the trip with him. Never outrageous, but consistently comical, never gratuitous, but watermarked with sexiness, with your expected pothead, HIV+ and trannies that after ages on celluloid are effortlessly human and/or wise, with the differences of the two cultures finely sketched, and with understatement who lets things be and breathe, this is a wholesome film.
The lead, with his slightly gawky heavy lids and the Adrien Brody pun comes off with a charismatic naivety slightly recalling a character by Voltaire and Forrest Gump.
The title design is a joy and an indication of what will follow. The pace is excellent, as is the sense of loneliness and company for all the characters.
A tender-mocking but never critical portrait, and thoughtfully done. Look what kind of humanity and affectuous reserve some gazes establish (Chad Allen shines towards the end)! Well-done!
Jerome, a Parisian, after being, we gather, ditched by his boyfriend in a telling boyfriend-in-boyfriend-out Parisian manner, and in order to overcome his infatuation, decides to go to L.A. for Christmas, at first for vacation, then for reasons not quite pinned down that seem like going for a ride, or a slice of the American Dream.
I will not reveal the bunch of characters that cross his path, I will just say that we are glad we make the trip with him. Never outrageous, but consistently comical, never gratuitous, but watermarked with sexiness, with your expected pothead, HIV+ and trannies that after ages on celluloid are effortlessly human and/or wise, with the differences of the two cultures finely sketched, and with understatement who lets things be and breathe, this is a wholesome film.
The lead, with his slightly gawky heavy lids and the Adrien Brody pun comes off with a charismatic naivety slightly recalling a character by Voltaire and Forrest Gump.
The title design is a joy and an indication of what will follow. The pace is excellent, as is the sense of loneliness and company for all the characters.
A tender-mocking but never critical portrait, and thoughtfully done. Look what kind of humanity and affectuous reserve some gazes establish (Chad Allen shines towards the end)! Well-done!