This year Knocked Up and Superbad made Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen the kings of raunchy romantic comedy. But they better watch out – they’ve got competition in the unlikely form of Julie Delpy. The Oscar nominated French actress has written and directed what is, for my money, one of 2007’s funniest movies.
Delpy also stars as Marion. She and her interior designer boyfriend Jack, stop in on her parents in Paris for two days on their way back to New York. Jack doesn’t speak the language. Marion keeps running into old boyfriends. Marion’s parents are free-love crazy people. Jack worries that Marion has inherited the slut gene.
On the face of it, 2 Days In Paris is dangerous territory for Delpy to be tinkering with. She’s best known for the romantic Richard Linklater films Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. But 2 Days In Paris sets itself apart from those movies with its rude wit.
A lot of this is about sexual anxiety and commitment phobia and Delpy is funny and insightful when dealing with men and women’s insecurities. And her direction and editing are snappy.
While Delpy also composed the film’s music and co-produced, credit for its success must also go to Adam Goldberg, who stars as Jack. He’s been a favourite of mine for some time and it’s great to see him unleash his motormouth, neurotic persona in a leading role. Goldberg’s line delivery and reactions are priceless.
This is the sort of movie you wish the now hopelessly self-indulgent Woody Allen or Kevin Smith were still able to make. All power to the Delpy, then.
This is the best mini vacation you can take this holiday season. It had me laughing out loud the whole way through and rates four stars.
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