From Paris, With Love follows James Reece , played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers(August Rush), an employee at the U.S embassy who dreams of one day becoming a Bond-like secret agent.? He is given the opportunity to show his worth by being partnered with Charlie Wax, John Travolta(Taking of Pelham 123), an eccentric American spy with an unorthodox approach to his job. Reece soon figures out that he may not have the moxie to do his dream job, and battles to be both a good fianceacute; and to get his promotion.
The only real story line is Charlie Wax’s reasoning behind half a dozen fight scenes. Somewhere in the midst is a plot about a drug bust, and then a terrorist attack, but it takes a sideline to the martial art sequences. It is sometimes hard for the audience to tell what the story is really about. Wax becomes unreliable for information as to what mission he and Reece are actually on. The reasoning for the lack of information is never divulged which in turn makes a The reasoning for keeping information from Reece, and thereby the audience, is never really clear. They are on a job together, why aren’t they both informed about what is going on? It makes it hard to see what the real story is. In fact, some may say that there is no story at all, this movie is pretty much about John Travolta trying to regain his manliness after his role in “Hairspray.” There is however, enough of a substantial plot to enable an unforeseeable twist toward the end of the film.?
Travolta was perhaps too good of an actor for this film.? The character of Charlie Wax is outrageous enough that with Travolta playing him, he pretty much steals the show from under the feeble feet of Jonathan Rhys Meyers. His performance by itself would have seemed flat and unrealistic, but next to Travolta it is just outright bad. He plays the role of a whipped boyfriend well. Though his role as a rookie spy was unimpressive. Travolta and Meyers also don’t have a good chemistry as “partners in crime”.? It seems that as the movie progresses they are supposed to become the best of friends, but the “bro love” just isn’t there.?
Along with the bad acting comes a bad script. Is a reference to The Karate Kid really necessary? Not really. It’s an obvious reference given the character’s last name and an obscure use that makes the audience scratch their heads. It certainly didn’t make anyone laugh in the theater. The character of Reece was poorly written. It seems that he is supposed to be a by the book type of guy who is trying to get over the more inhumane aspects of his job (i.e shooting someone) and also deal with his adrenaline junkie partner. What is really portrayed is a man who is too scared to do just about anything. One would think that if he had wanted this position all his life he would have been prepared for the duties that came with it. Also, Charlie Wax’s character, while entertaining as an ignorant, obnoxious American, has a lot of dialogue that makes the audience sit back and go ” wow, this is why the whole world hates us.” It’s not really something one wants to think about when watching a brainless action flick. The ending was also beyond cheesy and totally out of character for Wax.
This movie is bad, but entertaining enough to be worth buying if you want to see lots of explosions and fight scenes.? It’s not something to go to if you want something that moves you and it doesn’t have enough of a plot to be suspenseful, but if you are looking to kill a few hours it’s not too bad of a watch.? If you do wish to see this film, be warned, it is not going to be in theaters much longer. If you don’t get to the theater in time, rent it rather than buy it. You are only going to want to watch this movie once.?
Rated R? Grade: C