Down in Paris

"Fellini-esque" can be a lazy description, but it does point us in the right direction in characterising this unique and fascinating project from Antony Hickling. It starts off with what looks like an impending evening of irritation and frustration for the protagonist, who instead goes on to experience a night-long odyssey with elements of spirituality, sensuality and all points in between.

The performances are note perfect throughout and the events depicted in an unflinchingly honest manner, including a graphic sexual encounter that is candid, uninhibited and brave in its directness.

Approach this gem as Antony's character approaches the unfolding events of a Parisian night: with an open mind and a willingness to submit to pure experience.

I know Antony's previous works, and this one is my favorite so far. The narrative is different, he tells the storie in a simpler way, guiding us through the night as the caracter reflects about his experiences, lovers, losses and internal conflicts. It's an interesting and long night through the streets of Paris.

When I went to check my mail at the post office today, there was a small package that had a DVD in it. When I opened it, surprise!, "Down in Paris was awaiting me. I had been trying to view it for several months during an ongoing on-screen friendship with Antony Hickling and several of his actors. I popped it in out DVR at home and was overjoyed at the excellent experience it offered. I have not a little experience in theater (but none in film) and was entranced by the entire ensemble. The story came across to me like a picaresque romance, something between Don Quixote and Ulysses. Richard, the protagonist goes through psycho-trials and almost surrenders to the urge to dump cinema but gives life a chance through a series of adventures that suggested chapters of James Joyce's novel. The chain of adventures slowly fleshes out the tasks that await him to be resolved. Memorable moments included what I'd call the "Circe" chapter where he meets Elizabeth in a bar and lets go of his anger to his benefit. Seductress she, she winds up spending the night with the hot, hot bartender. Has she transformed him into a swine? In "Aeolus", he meets twice with a former lover and learns some humility. Another Circe/Nighttown" episode with a goodhearted prostitute points him towards a way of recovering his wholeness. Other episodes follow suit and there is a climax in the church with his out of body experience ascending like a second Christ. And the little boy near the end is like his own adopted "Telemachus" who disappears when his effect on Richard's heart is revealed.

I loved the film! 8/10 stars.

Despite the good direction, and some of the acting this film depicts Paris as a sort of Hell by night; redeemed in the morning. I am not sure I buy that vision or the basis for that vision of it. The film shows prostitution, clairvoyants to be seen in the middle of the night, a church which seems to be the home of a visiting demon called Damien and a little boy who probably comes from heaven to save our main character. I must also mention a gay night club that is lit by fiendish red colours and the usual clutch of rather unpleasant men in search of a quick sex fix. The sex is depicted and frankly it was both explicit and coy. This is what I saw, and for the first half of the film until the end of the demon in the church business I was with the film all of the way, but after I felt that I was losing interest in both the main character and the scenario. Giving away as few spoilers as possible ' Down in Paris ' is about a film director on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and he spends the whole of one night in Paris to find out if he is going to stop working or carry on. In this context he has all the above incidents but like a jigsaw puzzle I will let viewers sort out the pieces. Now for the acting. Antony Hickling the director should not have cast himself as the director. I think as a director of the film would have been sufficient, and in my opinion, he should have given the role to the excellent actor of ' Theo and Hugo, ' Geoffrey Couet the role. Instead Couet is given a minor role when he deserved better. Among the others in the cast I liked Dominique Frot as the clairvoyant and her time on screen is superb. I give this film a reluctant six and will probably watch it again. But Hickling directs very well and that is quite an achievement for such a complex film.

Knowing Antonys work it was an interesting and moving piece, completely different from his previous artistic and visual concepts, it takes you into the life of a director struggling with his past, his childhood and the death of his father, a realistic concept, questioning his faith, his past contacts from his life before directing he had pushed aside and whether it has all been worth it, I find it difficult at times to watch subtitled films, but I was very much at ease and followed this story without any difficulty. Even though I do love his previous visually deep and provocative films, I look forward to seeing more of this genre of film showing more meaningful relationships, humanising his characters, I feel with this film he has finally matured as a director and I look forward to seeing more.