“Paris-Manhattan” a Wood Allen Fan Film
By Skip Sheffield
Woody Allen is not universally admired. In fact some despise the whining, neurotic Brooklyn comedian who found his voice in movies that express his sad-sack outlook on life.
If you don’t like Woody Allen you will not like “Paris- Manhattan.” If you do, you may find this debut film by writer-director Sophie Lellouche a fluffy, slight delight.
Woody is the muse to Alice Ovitz (Alice Togliani), the lovely daughter of a Paris pharmacist.
Alice has a large portrait of Woody in her apartment. Her thoughts are often expressed in quotations from Woody Allen movies, spoken in Allen’s New York voice and subtitled in French, which makes Woody seem all the more deep and profound.
Alice is gorgeous but insecure and single. Her well-meaning father (Michele Aumont) is always pushing her to find some suitable match.
One such candidate is handsome Pierre (Louis-Do de Lenaquesaing), who takes an interest in Alice at a party. However, Alice’s more aggressive since Helene (Marie Delterre) muscles in on the conversation and snatches Pierre away before Alice’s disbelieving eyes.
Alice continues living her solitary life, working in the pharmacy and finishing her education. Helene marries Pierre but all is not peaches and cream.
Alice’s father gives the drug store business to her at age 30, and it seems despite her great beauty is destined to spend the rest of her life behind the cash register. Then two men enter her life.
Vincent (Yannick Soulier) is dashing, sophisticated. Victor (Patrick Bruel) is a lowly burglar alarm salesman who is older than Alice and has never even seen a Woody Allen film.
“Paris-Manhattan” has a plot patterned after “Play It Again, Sam.” Instead of Humphrey Bogart giving advice to hapless Woody Allen, Allen himself gives advice to frustrated Alice. The film is an unabashed fan letter to Woody Allen and to Paris. It culminates with an appearance by the man himself. It is not a great or profound film, but if you are a fan of Allen and beautiful women, you may find it delightful.
Three stars
Jazziz Nightlife Open in Boca Raton
There is a new nightclub in town. Jazziz Nightlife celebrated its opening this week in the space formerly occupied by Zed 451 restaurant at the southwest end of MiznerPark. The headliner was actress-singer-writer Molly Ringwald. I have been a fan of Ms. Ringwald since she made her big screen debut at age 13 in “The Tempest.”
With any luck I may meet Molly before she goes onstage. In my next column I will review her show and this welcome new facility in downtown Boca Raton.
Jazziz Nightlife opens weekdays at 4 p.m. and on weekends with a New Orleans-style brunch at 10:30 a.m. Valet parking is available at the front door and closing time is 2 a.m. Call 561-300-0732 or go to www.jazziznightlife.com.
Happy 92nd Birthday Arthur Jaffe!
A birthday party for this generous benefactor, founder and curator of the Arthur and MataJaffeCenter for Book Arts will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 5 at the Wimberly Library of FloridaAtlanticUniversity. Old-fashioned ice cream, silent movies and a printing project are part of the festivities. The celebration is free and open to the public. Call John Cutrone at 561-297-0455 or go to www.jaffecollection.org.
24-Hour Theatre Project Monday at FAU
Also at FAU, Alpha Psi Omega presents a “Twenty-four-hour Theater Project,” which culminates with a public performance at 8 p.m. Monday, May 6 in the Studio One Theatre. Six 5-to-10-minute plays created in the previous 24 hours by students will be performed. Admission is just $5. Call 800-564-9539 or go to FAUEVENTS.com.
War Horse at Broward Center May 7-19
The five Tony Awards-winner “War Horse” opens Tuesday, May 7 and runs through May 19 at Broward Center for the Arts.
The play is about a boy and his beloved horse Joey, who are separated at the outset of World War I. The real stars are the incredible life-sized puppets by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company.
Tickets are $39.50-89.50 standard seating and $119.50 Club Circle. Call 954-462-0222 or go to www.browardcenter.org.
