Paris

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.

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.

Paris is a beautiful contemporary film noir.

The photography is excellent and shows how great DV can look. The film offers an impressive combination of unique visual motifs with an intriguing plot. The romantic story is highlighted by Bai Ling's captivating acting. Her beauty stands out and she shows a wide emotional range. Considering she is still at the beginning of a great career!

Also, Karen Black adds some extra sparks to the story.

Overall, the filmmakers created a wonderful enjoyable film, I would highly recommend it!

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.

I recently watched Paris (2003) on Tubi. The storyline follows a police officer who finds himself in a difficult situation at a crime scene, accidentally killing his partner and stealing money before going on the run. Along the way, he encounters a woman involved in the sex trade whom he believes he's saved, but she harbors plans to dismantle the industry. As their relationship develops, complications arise.

Directed by Ramin Niami (Eye without a Face), the film stars Chad Allen (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman), Bai Ling (The Crow), Ron Jeremy (The Boondock Saints), and James Russo (Django).

Unfortunately, Paris falls short on nearly every front, clearly reflecting its low-budget independent production. While the premise had potential, the execution falters, with lackluster settings, dialogue, and even the pivotal sex scene falls short. Bai Ling delivers a stunning performance, adding a spark of interest, but it's not enough to salvage the film. Even the purported "clever twist" at the end fails to impress.

In conclusion, Paris offers little of value to viewers. I would rate it a 3/10 and recommend skipping it altogether.