Lost in Paris [2016]: Starring and directed by the husband-and-wife creative duo of Dominique Abel and Fiona Gordon, Lost in Paris follows a Canadian librarian [Gordon] who goes in search of her missing elderly Aunt Martha in Paris. Once there, she meets a homeless man [Abel] who assists her in more ways than one.
Takes Two to Tango: Matched in both comedic timing and awkward charm, Dominique and Fiona possess palpable chemistry onscreen that makes their scenes together effortlessly entertaining to watch. Especially prevalent in a scene where they dance together aboard a boat house restaurant, the couple are in sync with their exuberant mannerisms and mastery of performance art. As the plot of the film progresses, the initial hostility they instill on one another transforms into one of genuine care. They drive the entirety of the narrative as they set off on an adventure without an exact destination.
Silence is Golden: The humor found in Lost in Paris is mostly reliant on a variety of situational and physical comedy routines courtesy of the talented lead roles. Like an homage to the classic silent film stars who used excessive body language to convey their emotions, words fall by the wayside when it comes to exercising elaborate montages of physical action. Miming techniques are also put to use in a particular fishing line sequence very Chaplin-esque in nature. The hilarity that ensues from the choreographed stunt work is simply breathtaking to watch, whether it be an elderly couple practicing some fancy footwork on a bench or a thrilling ladder balance scene atop the Eiffel Tower.
When in Paris: Clearly expressed in the title of the film, Lost in Paris takes place predominantly in the City of Lights itself. Prone to gimmicky tourist photography and a reputation for unrealistic standards for romance, Paris, France needs very little assistance to look picturesque on camera. The movie still expertly showcases some of the most prominent locations of the famous city without being too forward about it, like the Pont des Arts bridge adorned with “love locks” and the Île aux Cygnes. The setting acts a mysterious character itself as Fiona attempts to navigate through it with her oversized red backpack like an awestruck traveler.
Sheer delight from start to end, Lost in Paris deserves to be recognized
as one of the most inventive comedies of 2016.
