Lost in Paris
Blu-ray
Review by Kam Williams
French
Farce Featuring Mime and Slapstick Released to Home Video
If
you're familiar with the surreal cinematic stylings of Dominique Abel
and Fiona Gordon, then you have an idea of what sort of treat's in
store while watching Lost in Paris. The talented husband and wife
team wrote, directed and co-star in their latest magical escape into
the theater of the absurd.
The
movie might best be described as a cross of Wes Anderson and Charlie
Chaplin, as it is an unconventional, visually-captivating affair
featuring little in the way of dialogue on the part of the mime-like
leads. The lithe-limbed, rubber-faced duo entertain far more with
their movements and expressions than with words.
The
film unfolds in Canada about a half-century ago, which is where we
find Fiona (Gordon) bidding farewell to her beloved Aunt Martha
(recently-deceased Emmanuelle Riva) who is moving to Paris.
Fast-forward to the present when Fiona, now a librarian, receives an
urgent appeal for assistance from her 88 year-old aunt.
In
the letter, Martha complains that they're trying to move her into an
assisted-living facility for old folks. But the feisty free spirit
will have none of it.
Fiona
dutifully springs into action and the next thing you know she's
landed in France sporting a bright orange backpack festooned with a
Canadian flag. Her troubles start right off the bat, when she gets
stuck in a subway turnstile thanks to that oversized valise.
The
slapstick escalates further when the weight of the knapsack causes
her to topple into the Seine while posing for a photo on a bridge.
She has to shed the bag to survive the ordeal, and ends up separated
from all her possessions, including her passport, cell phone, cash
and clothes.
It
is in these dire straits that Fiona crosses paths with Dom (Abel) an
amorous hobo living in a tent pitched along the banks of the river
who soon becomes hopelessly smitten. So, Fiona finds herself having
to fend of the advances of an ardent admirer while frantically
searching for her missing aunt.
The
ensuing chase proves every bit as charming and sublime as it is
hilarious and implausible.
A disarmingly-endearing homage to the
Silent Film era!
Excellent
(4 stars)
Unrated
In French and English
with subtitles
Running time: 84
minutes
Distributor:
Oscilloscope Laboratories
To
see a trailer for Lost in Paris, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NXqwh_76sk
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