Forget Paris (1995)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

It seems like Billy Crystal wanted to make the perfect sequel to When Harry Met Sally (1989), a movie he starred earlier with Meg Ryan, where they portrayed 2 persons who fall in love. Now, in Forget Paris, we follow 2 similar persons who fall in love THEN get marry (You won't deny how Debra Winger looks like Meg Ryan in some moments). Forget Paris, also, transfers you to Casablanca (1942), the Hollywood masterpiece, in terms of love story in Pairs, with a married woman, then the promise of "We'll always have Paris" (Casablanca was the favorite movie for both Harry and Sally as well). So Crystal decided to make use of love, as a romantic fantasy from those 2 movies, for none other than smashing it when it turns into marriage, only to build it all over again, but not before understanding the consciences and responsibilities of it. So forget Paris, but don't forget love itself. Hence we have : The subject of love during marriage, which's brilliant and uncommon in modern Hollywood movies. Crystal, a super comedian, who wrote it and directed it as well. Winger who's absolute magic, even if she recorded her voice while reading the newspaper's political columns. And a clever supporting cast that every comedy yearns for. So why the final result isn't as good as all of that ?!I think the script is the basic guilty. Yes, the plot of detached flashbacks is thrilling, there are classic comedic scenes (like the one with the sweetest prenup I have ever witnessed), and – in the end – it's like "Hey.. all of the marriage's problems is just another dinner". Nevertheless, right after the marriage happened, the situations got colder, and the good lines got lesser. There was not enough energy, or laughing.Moreover, the comedy leaned to being disgusting, whether with the fertility clinic sequence, or the old father sequence; which was shockingly awful, more of a crime against old people, and such a bad taste that turned me off while the viewing ! The soundtrack is beautifully jazzy. It has a golden selection of oldies. And I believe Ella Fitzgerald's cover of April in Paris was used in a very smart way; during the sad photomontage of the 2 leads' separation near the end. However, while jazz itself is a creative hint that marriage has no known system, and is based on the best improvisation you could ever do—the movie dwelled on that jazzy mood, enjoying a series of mostly uninteresting sketches, leading to common, so laconic, climax which didn't live up to Casablanca or When Harry Met Sally endings.Forget Paris is a rom-com that wanted to be different, and it did, but lost being fast enough, and comic enough in the way. The problem is bigger, putting in mind the powerful potential, and the names involved. It's entertaining and meaningful, which's great combination apart. Though, it needed more craft to be great movie altogether.Finally, wouldn't it eat you to not seeing Crystal in movies that deserve his talent, and utilize it to the max ? For me, in a long 40 years career, from the last 1970s to the late 2010s, still his closest movie to reach that rank is City Slickers (1991) !

Produced, Directed, Co-Written by and Starring Billy Crystal, 'Forget Paris' shows the comedic legend at his most confident. This 1995 underrated Romantic-Comedy is an amusing blend of love & zany. And it helps when Debra Winger is the leading-lady.'Forget Paris' Synopsis: An NBA referee and an independent working woman, find their lives interrupted by love and marriage.'Forget Paris' is a charming tale on love, marriage & life, itself. The Screenplay by Crystal, Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel humorously narrates this tale of an unlikely couple & throws them into a world full of humor. I found myself laughing most times & never felt bored. I also liked how the story is narrated by the protagonist's friends over a dinner, giving the film that extra edge, containing surprise. However, the Writing in the last-hour is a bit off and drags. The final-act could've been better, for sure. But otherwise, there is less to complain here.Crystal's Direction is self-assured, as he's handled the film well. He keeps the goings-on light & uncomplicated. Cinematography is tops. Editing is mostly on-point. Art & Costume Design are satisfactory.Performance-Wise: Crystal is a comedic genius & there are no surprises on that. He shines here too, enacting the leading-man with just enough madness to pull him through. Debra Winger, who's unfortunately pretty absent in movies off late, is a delight. There is not a single false note in her portrayal. Both the actors also share a rather infectious on-screen chemistry. Of the supporting cast, Joe Mantegna is excellent as Crystal's best friend & The Late/Great William Hickey is funny as Debra's dad. On the whole, 'Forget Paris' deserves a watch for sure. Its A Lot Of Fun!

This movie was always on the top of my waiting list because I just really like romantic American movies that happen in my country. But right now, I receive it more personally than ever! For me too, an unforgettable story has been born on the banks of the Seine (more the VII district for me). So it's really moving (and fun) to share Crystal/Winger romance blooming. It's a sort of "What If…".For sure, after the fireworks of the meeting, comes the harsh reality that can threaten it! From that moment, the movie turns feeble because the Crystal character is too egomaniac. For me, the best definition for "Love" is when you can forget yourself, and for that instance, Crystal is very deficient and it appears like a totally different person he was in Paris: he doesn't want to quit his job, he doesn't speak to her father… At the same time, Winger shows a lot of compassion and faces great pain for her femininity! It's just too big to be true… But, the story is told with a nice gimmick (the memories from their close friends), it has really funny quotes.

I saw the movie already 5 or 6 times - actually today the first time in English. We had to bring the DVD from the US as not being released in Germany (yet). I think it's a very romantic film and perfect for couples with a weekend relationship. It is also reflecting life in a positive way: it is difficult, entertaining, funny at the right and at the wrong place.Just realized how many funny Billy Crystal punchlines are in the movie. Finally Billy Crystal and Debra winger are playing it perfect: emotional and touching, but not overly dramatic.Keeps being one of my favorites.