Wishing for Paris, Through the Movies

The romantic Paris. The Seine at night, a fabulous bistro, the most romantic bridge ever. Ah Paris. The City of Lights, haute couture, low couture, haute cuisine, comfort food (boeuf Bourgogne is definitely comfort food), high art, low art and all those Parisians and ex-patriots making art. Booksellers along the Seine, puppets in the park, the train stations, Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur. Chez Paris!

1. Everyone Says I Love You - romantic comedy
1997. Woody Allen, Director. Starring: Edward Norton, Drew Barrymore, Diva Gray.
A full moon, the Seine. Dancing along the Seine, only to be transported by love. Sigh.

2. Amelie - romantic comedy
Le fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain
2001. Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Director. Starring: Audrey Tatou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus
A magical slice of Parisian life. The ordinary is fantastic as we travel through Paris, in French. Avec joie de vivre.

3. An American in Paris - musical
1951. Vincente Minelli, Director. Starring: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant.
A classic musical. While only some exteriors are filmed in Paris, the entire film is Paris-centric. The ballet, at the end evokes and imitates French painters. And the score by George Gershwin, doesn't that say it all?

4. Something's Gotta Give - Romantic comedy
2003, Nancy Meyers, Director. Starring: Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves.
Because everyone needs to celebrate a birthday in an intimate Parisian bistro and every bridge in Paris is perfect for a reflection of love found and love lost.

5. Charade - Romantic Comedy/Thriller
1963. Stanley Donen, Director. Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Walter Matthau.
A chase all over Paris. And every bit of is scrumptious. Of course, being chased (sort of) by Cary Grant adds a soupcon of distinction.

6. The Last Time I Saw Paris - Drama
1954. Richard Brooks, Director. Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Donna Reed.

Based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story "Babylon Revisited."
Post World War II Americans living in Paris, pursing writing and each other. It's melodramatic, but romantic and it's lovely in Paris at that time of year.