Paul & Paulette Go for a Bath (2024) - Film Review

      Paul & Paulette Take a Bath, 2024.

      Directed by Jethro Massey.

      Featuring Marie Benati, Jérémie Galiana, Fanny Cottençon, Gilles Graveleau, Laurence Vaissière, Margot Josepth.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A young American in Paris encounters someone with a fascination for the city's darker aspects. Jethro Massey's unconventional romance, Paul & Paulette Take a Bath, explores the shadowy corners of Parisian history and human nature. The narrative follows Paul (Jérémie Galiana), an American office worker and enthusiastic photographer, as he meets Paulette (Marie Benati), a libertine intrigued by life's darker elements.

      The duo embarks on “adventuneering” excursions throughout Paris, exploring historically significant sites and reenacting infamous crimes from the past. For Paul, this activity serves as a means to connect with Paulette, while for her, it provides an escape from a recent breakup. As their journey progresses toward more recent history, it grows increasingly unsettling, blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy. Among their stops is the infamous bathtub from Hitler and Eva Braun’s Munich apartment, photographed by Lee Miller in 1945, which has recently gained attention in the 2023 film Lee starring Kate Winslet.

      Amidst the horror, the script also uncovers joy in the shared appreciation for the bizarre nature of human existence and offers an unflinching perspective through a lens. Shot with a distinct new-wave style, the sightseeing adventure pays tribute to Paris' cinematic beauty while emphasizing a central theme: the "mundanity of evil." The film asserts that reminders of a terrible past permeate our surroundings, making a continual reassessment of history vital to prevent the erosion of these memories. This is highlighted through the script's focus on the Nazi occupation, a subject that some viewers may find challenging to engage with in a comedy, even one described as ‘dark.’

      While the portrayal of Paul’s boss and lover, Valerie (Laurence Vaissière), nicknamed "Goebbels" by her colleagues, may come across as excessively severe, the film aims to provoke discomfort among the audience. The pervasive shadows of the past serve as a reminder that such themes can surface at any moment, even in a routine office interaction, which is essential for grasping the depth of the narrative.

      When the two friends venture beyond Paris to visit Paulette’s parents in Stuttgart, the darkness takes on a more personal dimension. The film, driven by a deep fascination with life's grim realities, powerfully reflects on these darker themes but also embodies a life-affirming spirit. The director believes that meaningful friendships are often overlooked in cinema, and this thoughtful, engaging film seeks to address that gap.

      The leads deliver two remarkable performances, imbuing the film with a profound sense of humanity and empathy. The movie could have risked failure without such strong and relatable protagonists, but instead, it successfully conveys a story about the necessity for understanding.

      The film’s musical selections are skillfully chosen, with composer Marc Tassel’s score enhancing the film's unique tonal dynamics. While tragedy and chaos are ever-present, a sense of playfulness is also interwoven throughout.

      In summary, the film leaves a lasting impact as a reminder not only to acknowledge the pains of history but also to fully experience their intensity.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Robert W Monk