Forget Paris

Forget Paris, directed by iconic comedian Billy Crystal, is a 1995 American romantic comedy that masterfully blends laughter, love, and life's inevitable complexities. Billy Crystal juggles multiple roles as the writer, director, and lead actor, while the brilliant performance by Debra Winger complimenting Crystal's comedic timing, makes for a thoroughly enjoyable well-rounded cast.

The narrative structure of Forget Paris is characterized by a clever framing device which sees a group of friends with a unified connection where they unravel and retell the enchanting romance between Billy Crystal's character, Mickey Gordon, a well-respected NBA referee, and Debra Winger's character Ellen Andrews, an airline representative.

Mickey and Ellen's meet-cute takes place in the romantic city of Paris. The city serves as a mesmerizing backdrop to the highs and lows of Mickey and Ellen's relationship, the movie's title playfully acknowledging the city's clichéd status as the "city of love".

Mickey took a trip to Paris to bury his late father where he encounters the charming Ellen, who is assigned to assist him during his stay as the two grapple with a series of blunders that involve retrieving his father's misplaced casket. In between the funeral mishaps and language confusions, a genuine connection forms between Mickey and Ellen, and an impromptu romance begins on the streets of Paris, setting the tone for the rest of the movie.

Once back in America, the pair must navigate the realities of their life together, tackling marital issues and differences that nurture the comedic element of the film while maintaining the weight and authenticity of the couple's struggles. The movie switches dynamically between comedy and drama as Mickey and Ellen navigate their way through the ups and downs of married life, with Billy Crystal's quick wit and comedic prowess on full display.

One of the standout features of Forget Paris lies in its distinct narrative style. Rather than following a linear pattern, the story unfolds as friends gather at a restaurant and, while waiting for Mickey to arrive, they begin to share tales of Mickey and Ellen's romance. This unique sequence of revealed anecdotes sewn together creates an engaging and heart-warming tapestry of a relationship's evolution, from blissful romance to the painstaking struggles of daily life.

The dialogue, filled with relatable quips and memorable one-liners, is sharp and realistic. This movie delivers a plethora of laughs, beautifully mixed with poignant and heart-tugging moments that give rise to genuine emotion, making the characters easy to relate to and invest in.

Other familiar faces adding to the humor in Forget Paris are real-life NBA stars, adding an authentic sports element to the storyline. Bill Walton, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, Spud Webb, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar all make cameo appearances, providing unexpected touches of hilarity to the movie.

In between melodramatic breakdowns over squeezed toothpaste tubes and run-ins with charming Parisian cabbies, Mickey and Ellen face different sets of trials and tribulations that will either make or break their bond. The movie brings forward the often glossed-over challenges of blending two independent lives, complete with their quirks and idiosyncrasies, into a shared existence.

In a genre bursting with clichés, Forget Paris differentiates with its unique narrative structure and clear-eyed, funny, and heartfelt look at the realities of relationships. It doesn't shy away from the difficulties of marriage but always accompanies these tough moments with a heavy dose of humor.

In conclusion, Forget Paris is a must-watch for fans of both rom-com and Billy Crystal. His directorial style and humor make a profound impact and undoubtedly are the film's main draw. Simultaneously, the strength of Debra Winger's performance equally influences the emotional grip of the film. Moreover, Forget Paris offers a heartwarming and realistic portrayal of romantic relationships. It is a film that will mix an appetite of tear-jerking moments with belly laughs; the result is a delightful date movie that follows love through its many stages.