The Squid and the Whale

French New Wave undeniably opened the doors for a new generation of filmmakers to do whatever they wanted, and however they wanted to do it. Much like punk, the movement broke the rules in a way that truly changed everything. Fifty years later, it's effects are still being felt: but that's not always a good thing.
Last night I finally finished 'The Squid And The Whale', a film I'd been hearing was brilliant for years. Sadly, watching it was like listening to Modest Mouse - where it seemed that both everyone was wrong and I was missing something. The film has that matter-of-fact emotional flatness and deadpan delivery that makes Wes Anderson's (the film's co-producer) films so hit and miss. It's put together in a way that is reminiscent of the anything-goes freedom of French New Wave, but just comes off like it was edited to satisfy time constraints. Also, I didn't understand the use of the theme from 'Risky Business' as Frank is acting out in his parents' absence. Is it supposed to be the music he's hearing in his head from the ulitmate movie about exploring your dangerous side while mom and dad are gone? Without clarifying this (perhaps a scene where he's watching the movie), it just seems as if the filmmakers are hoping the audience hasn't seen 'Risky Business'.
All that being said, I do appreciate how this film is the antithesis of something from Cameron Crowe, Kevin Smith, or Ron Howard; who make what you're supposed to be feeling so obvious it's insulting. It does take you right into the homes and streets of mid-80's Brooklyn. It does deal with the awkward uncertainty of your first girlfriend and the 'fuck this' feeling of watching your family fall apart. And again, maybe I just didn't get it

2 Days In Paris

Ah, the romantic comedy. So many are pumped out at us it feels as if it should have several sub categories

The Classic (Annie Hall, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind)
The Surprisingly Charming (Love Actually)
The Comically Redeemable (Wedding Crashers, Just Friends)
The Ugly (you've seen 'em)

I'm not sure what sub category Julie Delpy's new '2 Days In Paris' belongs in. Probably somewhere in between The Surprisingly Charming and Comically Redeemable. All I can tell you is it does paint a fair portrait of a couple on holiday and it is damn funny.
Basically, this is 'Meet The Parents' set in Paris; but here, Adam Goldberg replaces Ben Stiller's nerdy awkwardness with quintessential neurotic, New Yorker sarcasm. He is the classic Woody Allen understudy: cynical, motor-mouthed, hypochondriac; and basically, the perfect American stereotype to throw in Paris, a city notorious for American-bashing.
After your classic Americans-on-holiday European vacation, Delpy takes boyfriend Goldberg to meet her parents in her hometown of Paris. As if dealing with an over-sensitive mother and extroverted father weren't enough, Goldbreg gets to do battle with a barrage of her exes, a snotty sister, and a real life animal rights 'ferry'. "This isn't Paris", he finally snaps, " This is HELL!"
The film succeeds both as a comedy and a commentary on a couple losing their understanding of each other. Delpy creates a more interesting plot-arc here while managing to touch on terrorist-attack paranoia abroad as well as French bigotry. I've heard of couples losing their romantic lunch while on holiday, and this is a nice valentine for them.