Paris When It Sizzles

Rating:
Summary: Not even Audrey can salvage this one....
Review: I agree with the viewers from Texas -- this was AWFUL! I couldn't wait for it to end. And until seeing this, I didn't think Audrey had made any truly bad movies. It's completely silly and pointless, and the vampire scene alone made me wonder if the writers and producers were on drugs when they made this.

Rating:
Summary: Not even Audrey can salvage this one....
Review: I agree with the viewers from Texas -- this was AWFUL! I couldn't wait for it to end. And until seeing this, I didn't think Audrey had made any truly bad movies. It's completely silly and pointless, and the vampire scene alone made me wonder if the writers and producers were on drugs when they made this.

Rating:
Summary: A most romantic movie!
Review: I bought this movie a week ago and have watched it about 12 times already. It's one of the most romantic movies I've ever seen! Which accounts for some of the bad reviews it's gotten -- by men. But men are notorious for not caring for romantic movies. Here's my assessment, ladies: Holden is a sun-tanned, shirtless, gorgeous specimen of manhood, with that damn sexy dimple that drives women wild! And Hepburn is the epitome of femininity, spirit, and charm. Their screen personas are not far from their own personalities. Holden plays a cynical, insecure screenwriter badly in need of a jolt of fresh inspiration, idealism, and joy for life -- all of which Hepburn's character exudes in spades! Which, of course, explains Holden's own attraction to Hepburn. After seeing this movie I bought 3 book biographies and 3 video biographies on Holden and Hepburn. This is a wonderful romantic comedy written by George Axelrod ("Breakfast At Tiffany's"). It's a gem!

Rating:
Summary: Paris... is a truly misunderstood satire of hollywood.
Review: I have had the pleasure of viewing this film several times and have thoroughly enjoyed it however many people never get much of the subtle jokes made at hollywood's expense. By now you probably know the film's premise , but the challenge I put to you is to listen to the dialogue. Some of the jokes refer to past Hepburn films (i.e. Breakfast at Tiffany's) and lampoon much of the "hollywood mystique". Check listings for AMC it runs occassional on this station if you wish to see it first.

Rating:
Summary: Audrey Hepburn's Worst Movie.
Review: I have seen this movie at least 3 times on TCM, simply because I adore Audrey Hepburn and didn't ever want to believe she could make a bad film. What it lacks in content, it makes up for with the volume off. George Axelrod must have been downing as much booze as William Holden's character if this is the final product he delivered to the movie-attending public in the mid-60's.

It starts out well enough as Hepburn plays the secretary who helps Holden's character come up with the script for a movie entitled The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower. You get lots of pretty shots of Paris, lots of great wardrobe--Audrey's alone supplied by fashion prince Givenchy--and a great many cameos by several well-known stars of that time, Tony Curtis's being the most notable.

What you don't get is a plot that makes any coherent sense. Everything is a glamorous mishmash all over the place, and there's not a time past the first 20 minutes in which the movie has any redeemable substance. I fell asleep on it once, lost my interest the second time, and turned it off the third. I love Audrey Hepburn, but this movie simply proves that even a lady of her ilk and sense of style could lose her sense of judgement when it came to choosing film projects. 2 stars for the scenery and wardrobe alone.

Rating:
Summary: Do not take a switch to Audrey! Give her flowers!
Review: I love it when my personal evaluation runs totally contrary to the consensus of movie critics. For example, I treasure the deliciously uber-campy, but crticially maligned, film, "Death Becomes Her." And whereas many critics have seized upon a convenient rhyme to opine that this film "fizzles" (in the song "I Love Paris," not used in this movie, "sizzles" is paired with "drizzles"), I must decree that I totally disagree, and moreover proclaim (here, I'm taking aim) that this delightful comedy is not "slight" but rather takes "flight!" (That would be a switch on a switch!) This film has a converging parallel plot structure (take that for an oxymoron!) and a script within a script that's a hoot! It's a charming tongue-in-cheek satire with a heart. Is it fair to accuse William Holden, whose character has such a low regard for actors, of wooden acting? Of course it's fair, because that's the point! Just as it is fair to accuse Audrey Hepburn of overacting! (See the balance?) I love this film, and if you don't, well, there's always Paris!

Rating:
Summary: Proof that you should avoid the reviews.
Review: I saw this movie on television and was very surprised at how much I enjoyed it. And then I read some reviews which were quite negative. Unfortunetly, I have to admit that had I seen the movie after reading the reviews, my enjoyment might very much have been lessened. I really enjoyed the film. it's light, it's funny and the leads are very likable. So what if not everyone agrees that it's good movie. Some of my favorite movies are not "beloved classics." If you're an Audrey Hepburn fan, you owe it to yourself to forget the reviews, ignore Leonard Maltin, and make up your own mind.

Rating:
Summary: WHAT A SHAME I DIDN'T READ ALL OF THE REVIEWS FIRST!
Review: I was so dissapointed!
I kept watching just thinking it would get better.
WRONG!
Don't waste your time. This is painful!

Rating:
Summary: Oh my!
Review: I was so dissapointed!
I kept watching just thinking it would get better.
WRONG!
Don't waste your time. This is painful!

Rating:
Summary: Bubbly Fun
Review: I'd avoided PARIS WHEN IT SIZZLES for years because of the universal pans it received -- what a mistake! The new DVD release will undoubtedly give the film a new lease on life, and hurrah for that. What movie did the critics see? This picture may not be top-drawer work from anyone involved, but it's still a great deal of fun, and definitely worth a look. Hepburn is enchanting, as always, and it's enjoyable to see her spoofing horror and action film conventions. Knowing her real-life feelings for Holden adds a special poignancy to their work together here, particularly in his big self-loathing monologue; her reaction shots to him are very moving. He's game, as are Tony Curtis and Noel Coward in cameos, and there's real wit in the Axelrod screenplay. If only the average comedy released today could have a tenth of the style or flair in this "flop" of Hollywood's later golden era!