8.6/10
Senior Film Conservator

A definitive 8.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Parisian remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like movies that feel like a dusty postcard you found in an attic, you'll probably dig this. It’s not exactly a thrill ride. In fact, if you need a plot that moves faster than a slow walk through a park, you should probably skip it. This is for the people who enjoy watching actors just… exist in a room. ☕
Elissa Landi is doing a lot of heavy lifting here with just her eyes. There’s a scene about halfway through where she’s sitting by a window, and the light hits her face in this really specific, unflattering way, but she doesn't move. She just stays there. It’s the most honest moment in the whole film.
Honestly, the pacing is a mess. Sometimes it feels like the camera forgot it was supposed to be filming a story. It just drifts. It’s kind of hypnotic, though. Much more interesting than the stiff dialogue in The Men Women Love, which tried too hard to be clever.
It reminds me a bit of the aimless energy in Balançoires, though this feels slightly more self-serious. The movie doesn't really know how to end, so it just sort of… stops. It didn't bother me. Not everything needs a big bow tied on top.
If you’re looking for a tight, punchy script, look elsewhere. This is pure atmosphere and shadows. Grab a coffee, turn off your phone, and don't try to solve the plot. It’s not that kind of movie. 🎞️