Overall, this is a fairly poor film. The first half was moderately enjoyable, though it was easy to predict how things would unfold.
Once the main character gets a career break and heads to Paris (ie.. the second half of the film), it becomes bland, pointless and boring. In fact, at times I felt like two different films were made and joined together as it transitioned from a mildly amusing drama to a melodramatic vapid Hollywood drama.
Spielberg and Oprah were producers - Americans making a European film... Needless to say that it has some ridiculous touches as a result. For instance, the main character starts having wine with dinner ... in Paris .. to indicate that he's dulling his pain by turning to drinking. Laughable.
About 50 minutes of the last hour could (should) have been left on the cutting room floor. The love aspect of the film was totally predictable, though unconvincing. The "quickie" they have towards the end of the film was a truly eye-rolling addition.
Strangely it also fails as a foodie film. Aside from the overly predictable and silly "French with Indian influences" cuisine thing, there are flat out mistakes from anyone who knows a thing or two about French cooking. Hollandaise sauce is made with clarified butter, not oil. The latter is used to make mayonnaise. Furthermore, you would never take Hollandaise sauce on a picnic as the butter would solidify. One of many.
Nit picking aside, it's ultimately hard to identify where the film is a legitimate success and it's not recommended viewing!
Once the main character gets a career break and heads to Paris (ie.. the second half of the film), it becomes bland, pointless and boring. In fact, at times I felt like two different films were made and joined together as it transitioned from a mildly amusing drama to a melodramatic vapid Hollywood drama.
Spielberg and Oprah were producers - Americans making a European film... Needless to say that it has some ridiculous touches as a result. For instance, the main character starts having wine with dinner ... in Paris .. to indicate that he's dulling his pain by turning to drinking. Laughable.
About 50 minutes of the last hour could (should) have been left on the cutting room floor. The love aspect of the film was totally predictable, though unconvincing. The "quickie" they have towards the end of the film was a truly eye-rolling addition.
Strangely it also fails as a foodie film. Aside from the overly predictable and silly "French with Indian influences" cuisine thing, there are flat out mistakes from anyone who knows a thing or two about French cooking. Hollandaise sauce is made with clarified butter, not oil. The latter is used to make mayonnaise. Furthermore, you would never take Hollandaise sauce on a picnic as the butter would solidify. One of many.
Nit picking aside, it's ultimately hard to identify where the film is a legitimate success and it's not recommended viewing!