Tagline: Every moment another story begins.
So, I really wanted to see this movie for numerous reasons; multiple awesome directors, an amazing cast list too long to even list, and short stories based in NYC. What could be better and not to mention it went straight to Netflix's instant releases! I actually haven't seen Paris Je T'aime, the predecessor to this movie, but it's on my list.
The movie is actually made up of 10 short stories focusing on love and set in New York City. The stories very loosely overlap into one another somewhat however all focus on the concept of love, more or less. The cast list is amazing and I can't even list everyone, but to mention a few, Natalie Portman, Cloris Leachman, Ethan Hawke, Shia LeBeouf, Orlando Bloom, Hayden Christenson, James Caan, Andy Garcia, and Julie Christie. Two of the shorts were actually directed by Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johanssen (although Scarlett's was dropped from the release due to the formatting and length requirements ).
I think it's important to know before seeing this movie, that it won't feel like a movie. It does flow nicely together and the pace is surprisingly smooth, for the most part. But it doesn't feel like the kind of movie you're used to, and it's not the average ensemble tale that unrealistically weaves together (i.e. He's Just Not That Into You) but it does give a little bit of overlap in a few segways.
The stories also are not about fantasy love stories, but about the kind of love in every day life, whatever form it may come in. The shorts do have different feels to them and you can tell the direction changes from story to story. That being said, it's refreshing and isn't distractingly different. This movie feels like NYC. If you're missing the city or if you've never been there, this is a good way to feel as though you're there.
The editing is hard to describe because it's done differently in each short, you can tell that someone was putting different pieces together and the fillers had the same style but it's not overwhelming.
The performances were great by all the actors, noticeably Ethan Hawke, Natalie Portman, and Julie Christie. Cloris Leachman and Eli Wallach were priceless as an old married couple and ended the movie perfectly.
It's intersting to know that the directors were given three guidlines; 24 hours to shoot, one week to edit, and they had to give the feel of a particular area of NYC. I would recommend this to anyone who loves New York or anyone who likes short stories with great actors. You don't walk away from this movie with a renewed sense of life or anything earth shattering, but it will stick with you and is unique. "I'm single now, so . . . dinner?" - Orlando Bloom
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