Paris Can Wait Synopsis: Anne (Diane Lane) is at a crossroads in her life. Married to a successful but inattentive movie producer (Alec Baldwin), she unexpectedly finds herself taking a car trip from Cannes to Paris with her husband’s business associate (Arnaud Viard). What should be a seven-hour drive turns into a carefree two-day adventure replete with diversions involving picturesque sights, fine food, and wine, humor, wisdom, and romance, reawakening Anne’s senses and giving her a new lust for life.
After a trip to Cannes with her movie producer husband, Michael, Anne finds out that their vacation to Paris will be delayed due to having to stop at Budapest first. Suffering from an earache, she’s told it’s best if she does not fly, so Jacques, Michael’s business associate in Cannes, offers to drive her to Paris, where Michael can meet her after his business in Budapest concludes. While Anne expects to head directly to Paris, Jacques finds several reasons to stop and visit various landmarks and restaurants along the way, showing Anne the part of France she would have missed had she followed her husband.
Diane Lane is someone who is consistently good in everything she does, and I find her one of the more reliable actresses of her generation. Her subtle performance as Anne is nuanced and natural, a bright spot in an otherwise so-so movie. She has decent chemistry with Arnaud Viard, who plays Jacques, and there are a handful of scenes between the two that keep Paris Can Wait from becoming a full-on travelogue.
It reminded me a bit of Eat, Pray, Love, where Julia Roberts visits many interesting places, eats a lot of food, and finds herself. Paris Can Wait is very similar in that Diane Lane visits many interesting places and eats a lot of food. There is just less Pray and more Love here. But that’s essentially what this is.
Anne and Jacques drive for two days, frequently stopping for picnics and visiting museums and cathedrals while enjoying gourmet dining. Every now and then, Anne will try to reach or talk to Michael, but he’s busy and not entirely attentive, except to warn Anne that Jacques has few scruples. By the time Anne and Jacques really open up to one another, the movie is nearing its end, and it feels like the potential for something profound is lost.
There’s not much else to Paris Can Wait. It’s fun to watch if you’re a fan of gorgeous scenery and watching people eat elegant, mouth-watering meals. So, sure, I did like the movie enough not to hate myself for watching it. France is beautiful, the food is delicious, and Diane Lane is a treat. But this movie isn’t for you if you’re looking for something more plot-driven.
Watched: 07/17/2023
Notable Song: Girlfriend by Phoenix
