Les Enfants du Paradis
(Article originally published on LaFlore Paris.)
“Les Enfants du Paradis,” which translates to “Children of Paradise” in English, is a romantic movie about four men based on real personalities — a mime, a criminal, an actor, and an aristocrat — who profess their love to a beautiful courtesan named Garance. The movie takes place during the July Monarchy in the 1830s at Théâtre des Funambules.
Cyrano de Bergerace
Ranked No. 43 in Empire’s 2010 list of “The 100 Best Films Of World Cinema,” “Cyrano de Bergerac” is a French period comedy-drama released in 1990 about a successful poet and swashbuckler who lives in Gascon. He is self-conscious about his excessively large nose, despite claiming to be proud of it. He is madly in love with his beautiful cousin Roxane, who he later finds out is infatuated with someone else.
Amélie
One of the most critically acclaimed recent movies, “Amélie” tells the whimsical story of a shy waitress in the Parisian neighborhood of Montmartre. She was homeschooled because her parents incorrectly diagnosed her with a heart condition. She developed an active imagination, and would find simple pleasures in bettering the lives of those around her. She convinces her father to tour the world by mailing pictures of his stolen garden gnome posed at landmarks around the world. When Amélie develops feelings for a quirky guy named Nino, she creates a cat-and-mouse game around Paris for him to retrieve his belongings.
Les Parapluies de Cherbourg
Young lovers in Cherbourg, Guy and Geneviève, are separated when Guy is drafted to serve in the Algerian War. Now-pregnant Geneviève begins to question his commitment after only receiving a few sporadic messages here and there. She ultimately is encouraged to move on to another pursuer who promises a good life for her and her child. When Guy returns injured from the war, he struggles to return back to his normal life after finding out Geneviève is married and no longer in Cherbourg with their child.
The Artist
“The Artist” is a widely acclaimed, black-and-white silent film released in 2011, starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo. Set in Hollywood between 1927 and 1932, this love story is about a rising young actress named Peppy and her relationship with an older silent film star named George, during a time silent movies were beginning to slow down in demand.
Un Long Dimanche de Fiançailles
“Un Long Dimanche de Fiançailles,” or “A Very Long Engagement,” is a French-American romantic movie released in 2004, starring Audrey Tautou and Marion Cotillard. After five French soldiers were convicted to no man’s land after trying to escape the corrupt French military system during World War I, they were presumed dead after a subsequent battle. One of the soldier’s fiancée goes on a mission to find out what actually happened on the battlefield. The story takes place in Paris and the French countryside during the 1920s.
Ensemble, C'est Tout
A classic love triangle, “Ensemble, C'est Tout” — also called “Hunting and Gathering” — is a romantic film about a young artist and cleaning lady named Camille who lives alone in a small attic in Paris. She begins a relationship with a shy and wealthy postcard salesman in temporary custody of a beautiful apartment in her building. His roommate for the time is a local cook named Franck who takes care of shopping and other tasks on his behalf. The two are complete opposites, and Camille immediately takes a liking to soft-spoken Philibert. Through countless disruptions, the two face trouble getting on the same page in their relationship.
Jeux D'Enfants
Also called “Love Me If You Dare” internationally, “Jeux D'Enfants” is about childhood best friends Julien and Sophie who play an addicting and long-lasting game of dares throughout their lives. Sophie gets heartbroken when Julien says he intends to marry someone else. Ten years pass, and they struggle with reconnecting for their game of dares.
Prête-Moi Ta Main
“Prête-Moi Ta Main” translates to “lend me your hand.” This romantic comedy is about Luis Campos, a 43-year-old happily single perfumer. His family council, the “G7”, decides he must be married within a year, which Luis doesn’t like because their involvement ruined his relationship with his true love. He develops a plan around the G7’s request, and “rents” his best friend's sister, Emma, as the perfect bride-to-be. The plan is to have her leave him at the altar on their wedding day, but things turn around when his family takes a liking to Emma and blames him for her running away.
Les Chansons D'Amour
“Les Chansons D'Amour” or “Love Songs” is a French musical film that was directed by Christophe Honoré and stars Louis Garrel, Ludivine Sagnier, Clotilde Hesme and Chiara Mastroianni. This romantic movie came out in 2007 and is about a man who experiences many sexual exploits leading to a journey of self-discovery, despite being married to a loving and devoted woman.
