Lost in Paris Review

Ever wondered what a French Canadian Wes Anderson physical comedy movie would look like? Look no further than Lost in Paris. The film has a lot of elements that I think are absolutely brilliant. Most all gags are brilliant, and often payed homages to classic physical comedy greats, such as Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. Although I’m not all that much into silent films, the impact was clearly present throughout, as the physical comedy was honestly what made the film work. Don’t get me wrong, though, the characters are utilized well. A good portion of the physical gags related to the story in some way. And although I found the occasional unnecessary gag out of place, the way everything fit together just worked for me. I don’t know if this movie is necessarily for everyone, but it’s unique use of physical comedy, translated through a modern lens, offering something altogether new, and worth watching. I will note that it is in French for a large portion, but I wouldn’t make that drive you away. While you might miss some things, I honestly found that there were moments where I didn’t even need to look at the subtitles to understand what was happening. This was clearly fully intentional. Even though the film is made by a French duo, the movie starts out with everyone speaking English in a comically cold Canada. When the main character goes to France to see her Grandma, who has ran away from the senior home, the language barrier becomes more apparent. But, given that the main character also faces this language barrier, it’s relatable enough for an English speaking audience to grasp, even if one isn’t a fan of subtitles. My biggest complaint would probably just be the length/pace. Although it’s only about an hour and a half, it’s more or less one physical gag after another. And although the timing of everything is practically perfect, I would have enjoyed a few more breaks in the structure. So, overall, my personal ranking is very high, but the pacing knocks it down a few points, I’ll give it a solid 8/10.