When it comes to a love of film, France is united in its collective devotion (think Cannes Film Festival). We took an informal poll – read: among Parisian friends – of the best French movies that show “Frenchness” and Gallic life as it really is. And the must-see winners are…
LES PETITS MOUCHOIRS - LITTLE WHITE LIES (2010)
This hilarious Guillaume Canet movie is about a group of friends who go on vacation to the Bassin d’Arcachon together every summer. All the clichés apply: From the characters (the lovesick ladies’ man, the wild one, Marion Cotillard as the troublemaker artist, et cetera) to their dedication to August vacation no matter what, all the way down to the oysters.
YSL - YSL (2014)
Along with showing the inextricable genius and demons of Yves Saint Laurent, this lush biopic seduces with its views of Paris through the ages and the glamor of the couture industry. The discreet love affair between Saint Laurent and the equally chic Pierre Bergé, his business partner and the love of his life, is captivating. Added bonus: Gorgeous footage of Morocco, where Saint Laurent lived when not in the City of Lights. Who is more Parisian than Yves Saint Laurent?
LE FABULEUX DESTIN D’AMÉLIE POULAIN - AMELIE (2001)
With her short bob and cheeky grin, the protagonist, Amélie, is Paris personified, even for the Frenchies we polled. Taking place in the real Montmartre, the movie is a collection of nonstop Parisian clichés that actually still ring true today. Stop by the Café des 2 Moulins on rue Lepic, the café where Amélie worked in the film, to see just how everyday life it is.
DINER DES CONS - THE DINNER GAME (1998)
THE reference for everything Parisian about Parisians, this side-splittingly naughty film features classy businessmen dared to include people from outside their social circle – and intelligence level! – at a weekly dinner. The entire country has seen the movie and can quote from the script.
2 DAYS IN PARIS - TWO DAYS IN PARIS (2007)
The clichés about French people and life in Paris, including the foodie craziness, the language, the smoking and horizontal pleasures are so perfectly portrayed in this movie written, directed by and starring French actress Julie Delpy that the deadline for this article had to be pushed back so we could all rewatch the movie, tears streaming down our faces as we howled. Starring Ms. Delpy’s real parents as her parents and Adam Goldberg as her more-than-American boyfriend, this is a real must-see for its portrayal of the French way of life. Be sure to see its sister film, TWO DAYS IN NEW YORK, where the clichés are reversed.