Anne (Diane Lane) is admiring the bougainvillea that frames the view of the open sea from the deck of her hotel room on the French Rivera. As she snaps photos of breakfast croissants, her husband, Michael (Alec Baldwin) barks commands into his cell phone inside the room. Apparently, his movie crew is costing him big bucks, though if he took a moment to savor Anne, he’d see that life could all be priceless.
When Michael leaves for his Moroccan film set, and Anne is set to meet him in Paris, a ‘convenient’ ear infection forces her to accept an invite from Jacque (Arnaud Viard) to drive to Paris. ‘Malheuresement’ (unfortunately) with the trains packed from Cannes, they’ll have to rent a car to Paris. Together. And, let’s face it…when traveling with a French man named ‘Jacques,’ what can possibly go wrong?
Soon Anne finds herself learning lessons on Cezanne and the light of Provence, fine Chateaus and vineyard delights, with stretching views of lavender fields in bloom. It’s C’est Magnifique!
Prepare to engage all your senses as Anne’s new-found French friend, Jacques, helps her question the moments to reflect. It seems having a good marriage might not be the same as being truly happy. Lane’s character is stiff in her performance – to a point – and there’s a reason. She’s harboring a secret that will later be revealed, slowly unwinding to trust Jacques in a more sentimental moment.
At every bucolic Village a Kodak moments ensues, in this delightful directorial debut of 81 year-old Eleanor Coppola, wife of Francis Ford and mother of Sophia.
‘Paris peut attendre’ (Paris Can Wait) but can the advances of the French Pepe-le-Pew Jacques, wait, too? Or is his flirty demeanor a lesson in bon vivant? (the good life.)
As you pour a glass of red (vin rouge) to toast this summer’s delightful Joie de vivre, it’s for certain that if you loved Under the Tuscan Sun, you’ll love this Eat, Drink and Drive petite gem. Four tiaras