Paris

Paris is a very ordinary corrupt-cops-in-the-underworld movie, just laden with cliches, and its struggle to rise above them isn't very successful. There's not much originality in either the script or direction; from the cop who drives a sixties-vintage car to the address he wants written down on a barroom

matchbook, we've seen all of it before.

The movie looks good, and some of the performances are strong. Chad Allen

does show some chops, and an ability to hold the camera's attention, even if his range here is limited. Some of the blame for that has to lie with the script and the unconvincing situations it puts him in. And maybe he's better off not trying to play a character's depth when there is none given him to play. Bai Ling also

acquits herself credibly and as someone else noted here, there is some screen chemistry between the two stars.

But after all that, I'm still left with one question; how does a guy get shot in the back, from the side?

The love story between Bai Ling and Chad Allen is powerful and I thought very tender. The two have very potent on-screen chemistry that heightens their plight as star-crossed lovers on the run.

The movie has some great locations in Las Vegas and then out in the desert, and some fun cameos (remember Karen Black? Oh, and RON JEREMY! :)

BTW. Chad Allen is HOTTT. he's the reason I decided to watch this film, but I wasn't expecting to enjoy the romance of the two main characters nearly so much, and now I want to go and watch all of Bai Ling's other films!

Paris is an intriguing take on what film noir looks like with contemporary production technology and a contemporary storyline. In the process, the film presents the important and neglected problem of forced Asian prostitution. The acting is very good.including Karen Black! I recommend it.

The director, Ramin Niami captures a bold vision in this story of good-cops-gone-astray trying desperately to redeem themselves. The tension of the quest is palpable throughout the film. Bai Ling is beautifully tragic in her performance of a trapped Chinese forced into sex-slavery by the cruel circumstances of her no-choices life. Chad Allen and James Russo are convincing as the cop duo whose partnership and trust disintegrates with the unfolding of events. The entertainment value and glimpse into the realities of the sex slave trade make Paris very worth seeing. Tastefully done, what is thankfully missing from Paris is blatant useless gratuitous sex and violence. Yet, the tragic and lovely romance between Jason (Chad Allen) and Linda (Bai Ling) develops elegantly amidst the desert panorama of Paris' setting. All of this makes the suspense of Paris also very romantic.

A demonstration of how good a performer can be, even when the movie is ineptly directed and photographed. Bai Ling stands out for her emotional range and beauty, despite the fact that the camera here doesn't fails to take best advantage of her. The plot is the routine corrupt cops story, full of plot holes, not making much sense, with a couple thrown together and finding tragic love. The film's style constantly distracts and annoys with repetitive canted angles and a failure to take advantage of scenic possibilities, especially in the desert. The seams show so badly that it is barely above the standard of a student film. Bai Ling deserves so much better, yet withal still worth seeing just for her sake as a lesson in the art of acting.