When I went to check my mail at the post office today, there was a small package that had a DVD in it. When I opened it, surprise!, "Down in Paris was awaiting me. I had been trying to view it for several months during an ongoing on-screen friendship with Antony Hickling and several of his actors. I popped it in out DVR at home and was overjoyed at the excellent experience it offered. I have not a little experience in theater (but none in film) and was entranced by the entire ensemble. The story came across to me like a picaresque romance, something between Don Quixote and Ulysses. Richard, the protagonist goes through psycho-trials and almost surrenders to the urge to dump cinema but gives life a chance through a series of adventures that suggested chapters of James Joyce's novel. The chain of adventures slowly fleshes out the tasks that await him to be resolved. Memorable moments included what I'd call the "Circe" chapter where he meets Elizabeth in a bar and lets go of his anger to his benefit. Seductress she, she winds up spending the night with the hot, hot bartender. Has she transformed him into a swine? In "Aeolus", he meets twice with a former lover and learns some humility. Another Circe/Nighttown" episode with a goodhearted prostitute points him towards a way of recovering his wholeness. Other episodes follow suit and there is a climax in the church with his out of body experience ascending like a second Christ. And the little boy near the end is like his own adopted "Telemachus" who disappears when his effect on Richard's heart is revealed.
I loved the film! 8/10 stars.
I loved the film! 8/10 stars.
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