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Jet Lag

Jet Lag

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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: a real charmer
Review: ***1/2 "Jet Lag" is a French romantic comedy that takes place almost entirely in an airport terminal and an airport hotel. Juliette Binoche and Jean Reno are two strangers who meet at the Paris airport and end up sharing a room when all flights are cancelled due to an air traffic controllers strike (think of how this affair would have been thwarted had Reagan been France's president at the time!). Rose and Felix are both riddled with insecurities and anxieties, having been largely unlucky in the ways of love. Yet, after some predictable initial tension between them, they somehow manage to find a mutual strength - and attraction - in their combined weaknesses.

"Jet Lag" is so simple and unassuming in its early stages that we are amazed to discover, about a third of the way through, just how completely it has managed to sneak up on us and win us over. Unlike most American romantic comedies, "Jet Lag" allows its characters to actually talk and get to know one another. It sure doesn't hurt, of course, that Binoche and Reno are such talented, attractive performers who establish an astonishing rapport in their scenes together. Sure, the plotting isn't exactly believable, but when is that ever the case in a film of this type anyway? The thing that matters is that we like the people we have become involved with and that we can accept, if only for just a moment, the possibility that they might be able to find happiness together. That is certainly the case in this film. (If there is a criticism to be leveled against the film, it is that it is simply too short, clocking in at barely over 80 minutes. How many films can one say THAT about?).

"Jet Lag" could have been a completely insubstantial little film; instead, it resonates with a joyfulness and charm that truly captivate the viewer. This is a winner well worth checking out.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: a real charmer
Review: ***1/2 "Jet Lag" is a French romantic comedy that takes place almost entirely in an airport terminal and an airport hotel. Juliette Binoche and Jean Reno are two strangers who meet at the Paris airport and end up sharing a room when all flights are cancelled due to an air traffic controllers strike (think of how this affair would have been thwarted had Reagan been France's president at the time!). Rose and Felix are both riddled with insecurities and anxieties, having been largely unlucky in the ways of love. Yet, after some predictable initial tension between them, they somehow manage to find a mutual strength - and attraction - in their combined weaknesses.

"Jet Lag" is so simple and unassuming in its early stages that we are amazed to discover, about a third of the way through, just how completely it has managed to sneak up on us and win us over. Unlike most American romantic comedies, "Jet Lag" allows its characters to actually talk and get to know one another. It sure doesn't hurt, of course, that Binoche and Reno are such talented, attractive performers who establish an astonishing rapport in their scenes together. Sure, the plotting isn't exactly believable, but when is that ever the case in a film of this type anyway? The thing that matters is that we like the people we have become involved with and that we can accept, if only for just a moment, the possibility that they might be able to find happiness together. That is certainly the case in this film. (If there is a criticism to be leveled against the film, it is that it is simply too short, clocking in at barely over 80 minutes. How many films can one say THAT about?).

"Jet Lag" could have been a completely insubstantial little film; instead, it resonates with a joyfulness and charm that truly captivate the viewer. This is a winner well worth checking out.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Critics are Wrong
Review: A fast paced almost American-like movie in French. Jean Reno who I'm not familiar with and Juliette Binoche (she looks great without makeup), play travelers who meet at an airport when Binoche's character, Rose, somehow loses her cell phone in a toilet. Reno is Felix, a chef with his own frozen food company and a cell phone he's kind enought to let Rose continually borrow. Both their flights become delayed and what follows isn't surprising. They eventually spend enough time together that they develop a romantic relationship.

What keeps this movie alive are Reno & Binoche, two professionals at their craft who kept this viewer involved every step of the way. I've read the mixed reviews from so called mainstream critics, and now that I've seen this funny, yes (I chuckled a lot), I can say those critics are wrong. I grade Jet Lag, a B (I would've preferred a happy ending kiss). Jet Lag is a pleasant romantic comedy.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A FRENCH "WHEN HARRY MET SALLY"
Review: BEING A FAN OF JULIETTE BINOCHES' DRAMATIC ROLES. I FOUND THIS A NICE CHANGE OF PACE FOR THE ACTRESS, SHOWING SOME LIGHT COMEDIC FLAIR.ALTHOUGH THE FILM DOESN'T BRING ANYTHING NEW TO THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES,IT TRAVELS ALONG QUITE NICELY. DELIVERING TWO QUITE POLAR-OPPOSITE PERFORMANCES FROM THE LEADS, I HOPE JULIETTE CHOOSES MORE OF THESE KINDS OF ROLES IN HER FUTURE.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Rose Meets Felix: Slight, But Delightful Romantic Comedy
Review: Contrary to what some people say, "Decalage Horaire" ("Jet Lag") is NOT middle-aged version of "Before Sunrise." The story is similar, but this French film is more 'French' ... I mean, relying on very subtle things expressed in the short course of the film, including cultural aspects of its contents. You should not take this film simply as 'chick flick' because the writer/director is Daniele Thompson, veteran writer with long career of more than 30 years, is making a very sophisticated romantic comedy in which small things really matter.

The film is, simply put, Jean Reno meets Juliette Binoche (or vice versa) at Paris airport. Rose, played by Binoche, loses her cell phone, and borrows one from Reno's character Felix. After we see several more rather complicated (some say contrived) events at the airport -- like, bad weather, strike, and so on -- they decide to spend the time together before the flight. They know they are going to part soon, never to meet each other again, but as you soon realize, they don't know whether they should continue the original plan of the trip.

The basis of romantic comedy is all here. Surprisigly, the film is originally written for American production about ten years ago, but the final result is absolutely French, or European. The characters are more mature than the ones in Hollywood-made films, and sometimes do or say very cruel things.

Some (or many) funny part of the film depend on the language; that means, if you don't know the French, you might miss several of the points the film is making. Reno's Felix often uses English, which reflects his career as chef travelling around the world. He even misuses French even though he is born French (hence, "Jet Lag"?), and if his conversations with Rose sound a little awkward at first, it is not all because he had been a total stranger to her. These liguistic aspects, which tell us the different background of these characters, might appeal to French people, but are sadly lost on many of us including me.

But Binoche's makeup is not among them. Her initial appearance is a bit of surprise because of her heavy make-up. It was done beautifully, but the fact that it is overdone is too obvious. And then, later in the film she appears as she is, being very natural and beautiful as before. The gap between the two Binoches is one of the fun you will get in "Decalage Horaire."

This is not a film that provides big laughs. This is a romantic comedy of which contents are too slight for some people, but still remains a delightful experiece especially for the fans of the two leads. And don't forget the cameo of Rose's ex-boyfriend Sergeo played by Sergi Lopez, whose creepy performance fascinated us in thriller "With a Friend Like Harry." So, Rose was dating with that Harry, huh.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Serendipitous meeting of two lonely people
Review: In a movie with Jean Reno and Juliette Binoche, the best acting here comes - as usual - from Sergi Lopez. He gets 5 - 7 minutes in a powerful cameo, in which he almost comes through the screen with intensity.

That aside, this is a charming, melancholy movie, but one a bit undermined - as usual - by its US coverbox. From the frothy picture of the two stars there, you'd get the impression of a screwball-like comedy. It's far from that. While there are some comedic aspects, 'Jet Lag' is all about the serendipitous meeting of two lonely people hitting major inflection points in their lives. American audiences know Binoche from 'Chocolat' and other US-made films. The treat here is Reno, flying mostly under the radar in the US marketplace expect for suporting roles in 'Mission Impossible' and 'Ronin'. He is superlative as a world-weary chef/business owner.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: "If we don't get involved in other's lives we end up lonely"
Review: In JET LAG two strangers meet under unusual circumstances in a crowded and chaotic Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. As a result of various labor union strikes flights are either delayed or cancelled while travelers are impatient and nerves are frayed. Rose first approaches Felix in the airport terminal to borrow his phone after she accidentally dropped her cell phone down the toilet. There is certainly no "love at first sight" for these two individuals, and they even succeed in getting on each other's nerves. But each time they say goodbye they end up bumping into each other at a different time and place in the airport. Each appears to have little in common Felix and Rose have little in common other than being stuck in an airport. Felix is a twice-divorced idiosyncratic man who has immigrated to New York and detests everything about his native country. On the other hand, Rose is a woman who feels naked without makeup and is escaping an abusive boyfriend. But as time progresses they warm up to each other and form a meaningful friendship. What really makes this film work is that they form a bond based on their differences and they begin to appreciate and understand each other's lived experiences. Their relationship isn't based on lust and sex but rather delves deeper into emotional longing to be understood and affirmed in the modern world. As the film progresses they become more connected and appreciated in each other's company. In JET LAG Juliette Binoche delivers another wonderful performance that his indicative of her successful film career in French cinema. It is always a pleasure to watch her perform as she rarely plays the same character repeatedly. This film is fun to watch and is a good diversion for a cozy night inside in front of the television. JET LAG is described as a "romantic comedy" but I believe it delves deeper and says volumes more than other films in this genre. Enjoy!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Jet Lag
Review: Intelligent,sensual, no violence. Of course, not a typical Hollywood big $ production.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Another Parisian Surprise
Review: JET LAG is a rare treat. It is a smart, saucy film that takes two well known actors and gives then a chance to play different types and the result is very successful.

Juliette Binouche steps into the tacky clothes and glitzy makeup of a superficial loquacious beautician who needs her makeup, perfumes, and wacky clothes to complete her 'self', an unlucky-at-love waif on her way to Acapulco from the Charles DeGaulle airport. She encounters a neurotic, fastidious (except for his groungy hair and beard) chef play by the usually dark 'hitman' Jean Reno and because of strikes in the Paris airlines and trains preventing scheduled flights, she agrees to share a room wiht him for the night until their separate flights are available. Well, of course, the 'odd couple' find subtle but strong needs in the opposite persons and the way their rather bizarre cohabitation results in their mutual and individual awakenings is the source of the plot and the delight for the viewer. Both Binouche and Reno create indelible characters and their transformations are wise and wonderful.. A definite 'feel good' movie - and we certainly need films like this as warm entertainment. Kudos to director Danielle Thompson for uncovering other layers in these two fine actors' gifts.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful, charming movie
Review: Jet Lag proves that just because it's in French, doesnt mean it's good. The movie is dull and looks like a French version of an American romantic comedy. If there was an American version, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan would star in it. There are so many good French movie, Jet Lag isnt one of them.


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