Under the Eiffel Tower

We liked it. Yes, it is predictable, and follows a pretty standard plot line. But, the acting is adequate, and the actors make it fun. Yes, the drink a lot of wine, but it is set mostly in a vineyard, after all.

I stumbled upon this film flipping channels and found it interesting to watch to the end. It's another of the road trip in Europe movies that I love ("Under the Tuscan Sun", "Paris Can Wait"). Well now we have "Under the Eiffel Tower" and I am eagerly expecting the yet to be written and filmed "Sesso Can Wait". While Eiffel is cliche and predictable and has been done hundreds of times before, it's still fun to watch with the goofy characters, the sometimes embarrassing plots, and the gorgeous picturesque countryside of Bordeaux. With some much wine drinking going on I felt like getting up and pouring myself a glass but it was nearly midnight. Yep, 7 stars for at least trying to be a great picture and just being entertaining even though it didn't make a lot of sense.

If the producers of Sideways decided on a sequel they might have made this movie. It has a weaker script, actors one step below Paul Giamatti, Thomas Hayden Church and Sandra Oh, but.... They did step up in scenery. The winery and French countryside are stunning. The rest of the movie felts like a cheap knockoff of a classic movie known as Sideways.

This is a pleasant little romantic comedy, with a couple of big problems. It might be the best you're going to do for Valentine's Day 2019 if you don't like slasher movies. The first big problem is the male lead, Matt Walsh. He just doesn't express enough emotion to carry a romantic comedy. The other actors are fine, especially Michaela Watkins as his best friend's wife. Reid Scott, whom I haven't seen before, was also good as a sleazy former soccer player.

The other problem is in the initial premise: major creepiness here. I shan't spoil it, but maybe they should have had him fall in love with Michaela Watkins or something like that.

I really enjoyed the premise and the way the story moves in France. The main male actor and the actress both deliver really well. There were romantic moments in the movie which are definitely the highlight. Yes, the sudden rather quick ending could have been gradual but not complaining. Don't go by the low rating here. It's an enjoyable romantic comedy.