Every so often an action film arrives that’s so asinine, so ludicrous and (most importantly) so over-the-top that it’s actually worth seeing. From Paris with Love is one of those films and, of course, that’s why it’s worthwhile. It’s a self-aware piece of B-movie action trash that crosses the point of craziness/cheesiness all at once in a peculiar way.
James Reece’s (Jonathan Rhys-Myers) life is rather simple and low key. Yes, he may work for the CIA, but he’s actually more of an assistant to an ambassador in France, aspiring to be a field agent. Why does Reece want to become a field agent? The film never truly gives a justifiable answer. Why endanger your life while he has a stunningly beautiful girlfriend waiting for you? It’s an extreme leap of logic. Thankfully, Reece finally gets his wish and gets a field assignment. His job is to be driver to the more-than-eccentric Charlie Wax (John Travolta).
Wax’s methods aren’t quite by the book, but he’s known as the guy who “gets the job done.” Reece and Wax are polar opposites. It’s the standard odd couple relationship. After their strange introduction Wax pulls Reece into a full-on chase down of terrorists. This makes Reece even more nervous since all he wants to do is to get back to his lovely girlfriend Caroline (Kasia Smutniak). This would cause one to suspect that Reece didn’t know he’d be thrown into danger working as a field agent.
Similar to Taken (both films are directed by visual stylist Pierre Morel), the set up is rather dull and clunky to say the least. Its focus on Reece’s job and relationship is the least interesting aspect. Once Wax is introduced, the film becomes the fun action movie that’s promised. During all this action there’s a good amount of character work courtesy of the repertoire between Rhys-Meyers and Travolta. And though this type of dynamic is starting to grow a bit tired and cliche, is still works.
This dynamic could have been far more engaging if Reece’s persona was on the same level of craziness as Wax. Despite that, their relationship still drives the film, along with plenty of well-choreographed action set pieces. The only time the pacing slows down is when it focuses mainly on Reece and his girlfriend. It’s not believable and their final moment together draws audible laughter from the audience. Those moments lose that sense of self-awareness of what type of film this is: a cheesy B action movie. Thankfully, most of the film’s running time (a nice, tight 92 minutes) doesn’t deal with that unrealistic relationship. While From Paris with Love definitely pokes fun at all the action movie conventions, it definitely falls into them at points.
This film truly hinges on Travolta’s performance. It’s beyond over-the-top and will either make or break the film for each viewer. But if you’re one that truly embraces this level of cheese then you’ll find yourself fully satisfied. Travolta embodies scenery chewing. His style of acting here doesn’t vary much from Nicolas Cage. At times they can be hilarious and you’ll laugh with them and at other times you’re unaware if you’re actually laughing with them but instead at them. That’s not entirely a slant since these type of performances are a marvel to watch. This is Travolta’s film and he makes it watchable. Myers, on the other hand, doesn’t fair quite as well. He’s perfectly fine, but he’s overshadowed entirely by Travolta’s “larger than life” performance. His accent may also attribute to this problem since it doesn’t sound quite right.
Despite the uninspiring opening and a few false beats, From Paris with Love rises to the occasion of being an absurd action movie.