Paris (2003) User Reviews

cliche-ridden

[spas485 · 3/10 · 13 March 2004]

Paris is a very ordinary corrupt-cops-in-the-underworld movie, just laden with cliches, and its struggle to rise above them isn't very successful. There's not much originality in either the script or direction; from the cop who drives a sixties-vintage car to the address he wants written down on a barroom

matchbook, we've seen all of it before.

The movie looks good, and some of the performances are strong. Chad Allen

does show some chops, and an ability to hold the camera's attention, even if his range here is limited. Some of the blame for that has to lie with the script and the unconvincing situations it puts him in. And maybe he's better off not trying to play a character's depth when there is none given him to play. Bai Ling also

acquits herself credibly and as someone else noted here, there is some screen chemistry between the two stars.

But after all that, I'm still left with one question; how does a guy get shot in the back, from the side?

Not, indeed, a very good movie

[Stevarooni · 4/10 · 17 January 2007]

I've read a number of the comments on this film, and have a bit to agree with on most of them. The budget on this film had to have been very, very low. It's obviously shot on video, but the lighting is actually pretty good. The plot is old and, in essence, revealed in a flying hurry. Novice cop Jason Bartok (overacted by Chad Allen) accidentally shoots his partner, Leon King (wheezed through by James Russo), and the dirty-cop partner sends him off with a sack o' money and the "dying wish" that he find Linda, an Asian girl, with a picture and the name of a massage parlor. Jason's an idiot, plain and simple. He runs off, headlong into prostitution rings, Asian mobs, and finally into the arms of Linda (naturally an Anglicized version of her Chinese name, Shen Li - played by Bai Ling). Naturally, they run from one seedy motel to another, eventually falling in love in one night of awkward revelations and the revelation of Bai Ling's pert talents. From there, they predictably have to pay off Shen Li's debt to the mob, which inevitably reveals the unsurprising fact that Leon is still alive. Shootout occurs, all is made right in the world, and they're off to their shared dream...Paris. The acting is generally poor (though both Bai Ling and Chad Allen have moments of better acting), the plot is refried, and even the T&A is subdued. It won't kill you to watch it, but boring is the watchword.

Paris by way of Las Vegas

[jotix100 · 5/10 · 12 September 2010]

Not having a clue as what to expect, and the prospect of nothing better to watch, we decided to tune in this crime film that showed a good promise as it starts, but it clearly went downhill as the hero, Jason Bartok, (any relation to Bela Bartok, the great composer, is purely coincidental) gets involved in a love affair with the exotic Linda.

Director Ramin Niami who wrote the material with Steve Beschloss, probably had a better picture in his mind than what really comes out in the finished product. The movie has a lot of elements that have been better done in other films of this genre. There are situations that require a stretch of the imagination.

The best thing in the film is Lin Bai, a beautiful presence in any film. Karen Black is asked to play the madam of a shady joint, camping all the way to the top. Chad Allen's Bartok probably required a different tone.

Oh, and by the way, Bartok and Linda gets close to Paris at the conclusion of the story!

What worked best in the film is the phenomenal cinematography by Jack Cochram who captures some great scenery one does not get to see often in Hollywood movies. Also the music score by John Cale contributes to create the atmosphere of the story.

Bai Ling shines, but nothing else does

[briantaves · 7 July 2004]

A demonstration of how good a performer can be, even when the movie is ineptly directed and photographed. Bai Ling stands out for her emotional range and beauty, despite the fact that the camera here doesn't fails to take best advantage of her. The plot is the routine corrupt cops story, full of plot holes, not making much sense, with a couple thrown together and finding tragic love. The film's style constantly distracts and annoys with repetitive canted angles and a failure to take advantage of scenic possibilities, especially in the desert. The seams show so badly that it is barely above the standard of a student film. Bai Ling deserves so much better, yet withal still worth seeing just for her sake as a lesson in the art of acting.

Beautiful film noir with a romantic touch

[artsofdance · 7/10 · 12 April 2005]

Paris is a beautiful contemporary film noir.

The photography is excellent and shows how great DV can look. The film offers an impressive combination of unique visual motifs with an intriguing plot. The romantic story is highlighted by Bai Ling's captivating acting. Her beauty stands out and she shows a wide emotional range. Considering she is still at the beginning of a great career!

Also, Karen Black adds some extra sparks to the story.

Overall, the filmmakers created a wonderful enjoyable film, I would highly recommend it!

A gripping tale of intrigue and excitement

[davidlasoff · 8/10 · 10 June 2008]

The director, Ramin Niami captures a bold vision in this story of good-cops-gone-astray trying desperately to redeem themselves. The tension of the quest is palpable throughout the film. Bai Ling is beautifully tragic in her performance of a trapped Chinese forced into sex-slavery by the cruel circumstances of her no-choices life. Chad Allen and James Russo are convincing as the cop duo whose partnership and trust disintegrates with the unfolding of events. The entertainment value and glimpse into the realities of the sex slave trade make Paris very worth seeing. Tastefully done, what is thankfully missing from Paris is blatant useless gratuitous sex and violence. Yet, the tragic and lovely romance between Jason (Chad Allen) and Linda (Bai Ling) develops elegantly amidst the desert panorama of Paris' setting. All of this makes the suspense of Paris also very romantic.

Worth a view.

[pacvik · 7/10 · 3 October 2020]

Passes for viewable. Has some loopholes. Why did Linda initially attempt to kill Jason? Money was never really explained as to whose it was, how it ended up at backroom of bar, & why holder ended up dead. Viewer just had to generalize that it was crook's money. It is an example of some loose ends that would have made for a better & convincng story had they been tied in better. All the main actors are movie viewable & competent.

Great acting, beautiful images, what more could you ask for?

[noxrosa · 9/10 · 4 September 2003]

Paris is an impressive combination of a unique, socially-minded, film-noir plot, beautiful visual motifs, and further exploration of what DV filmmaking can look like.

Bai Ling is captivating in every scene she's in, and Chad Allen is perfectly suited for the role of the young, struggling cop. We really come to care about both of their conflicted characters.

Throughout the film the repetitive use of mirrors is just one of several visual elements that serve to make Paris artistically moving, and this, in combination with a twisiting plot that takes us between the seedier parts of Los Angeles and Los Vegas, makes this a film you can't stop once you've started.

beautiful dv

[jesdeluxe · 8/10 · 23 September 2003]

Paris is a crime cop genre film that has some great elements of romance.

The intimacy between Jason and Linda is well delivered by Bai Ling and Chad Allen. I felt an actual spark of love between the two characters. Bai Ling is gorgeous and the photography looks excellent. This is a film that looks great having been shot on DV. There are gorgeous shots of the California/Nevada desert. The seedy parts of LA and Las Vegas could be a bit seedier.

James Russo does a great job of playing the creepy bad cop.

Karen Black adds an interesting texture to the already colorful film.

Overall I say Paris is worth watching and would recommend it to those intersted in watching a decent film shot on DV. The love story is the highlight and Bai Ling just looks great.

good contemporary film noir

[southinnyc · 9/10 · 22 May 2003]

Paris is an intriguing take on what film noir looks like with contemporary production technology and a contemporary storyline. In the process, the film presents the important and neglected problem of forced Asian prostitution. The acting is very good.including Karen Black! I recommend it.

Great performances and chemistry!

[suziebruin83 · 9/10 · 19 January 2006]

The love story between Bai Ling and Chad Allen is powerful and I thought very tender. The two have very potent on-screen chemistry that heightens their plight as star-crossed lovers on the run.

The movie has some great locations in Las Vegas and then out in the desert, and some fun cameos (remember Karen Black? Oh, and RON JEREMY! :)

BTW. Chad Allen is HOTTT. he's the reason I decided to watch this film, but I wasn't expecting to enjoy the romance of the two main characters nearly so much, and now I want to go and watch all of Bai Ling's other films!

Bai Ling A++++++

[leslorna · 10/10 · 20 January 2006]

Ill watch Bai Ling in anything which is explaining why I have seen a lot of strange things mostly off of the internet. But this was an actual movie and I really enjoyed it because of it. Chad Allen is also great but, I GUESS WE ALREAD KNEW THAT!! By "we" I mean it is the girls know it!~! But now the boys can too. Although I am a guy. Also Chad and Ling have such good chemistry which is great but also very sexual. Also this movie was so good because they are both in it at the same time. Not apart like before!!! You will loove this movie especially, if you love Paris--which I do of course. And not that Paris Hilton! Yuch! The city.

Yes, rent this film!

[oosocool · 10/10 · 26 July 2004]

I would still recommend this film even though the plot is a bit thin. Paris is still an entertaining movie to watch. This is especially true because of Bai Ling being in the movie. She is very enjoyable to watch. She is a real beauty!

The film quality is excellent. The photography is good. It has excellent sound effects--gun shots etc. The music is OK also. It is just too bad that the plot has so many holes in it. If you can ignore that, it's a fun movie.

The story is the familiar good cop/bad cop shoot 'em up type. This film is available now for rent from Blockbuster.

Enjoy!

Great Theme!

[kyanaonline · 9/10 · 18 August 2005]

Still this kind of sex industry now!!! Paris represents one of the social problems in United State which it is neglected. If some organizations support these movies more directors will encourage working on social problems, which it is the first step for solving them.

The story is great but details are not as good as the story. The acting is excellent! The characters seem real and we believe them.The love story is completely acceptable. Images are good as far as DV goes.

While I was seeing this movie the only thing that bothers me was the absence of atmosphere. Maybe using more exterior shots, long shots and more sound effect in some locations could be helpful. Actually, it is hard to judge a low budget film because it seems that most of the problems are result of being tight in the budget.

Because of the great theme, excellent acting, real characters and acceptable romantic story I would highly recommend this film.