Une Estonienne à Paris

Drawing nearer of opposites or even antipodes in different environments is mostly interesting to watch - even if the idea has been used dozens of times, including in dramas. As a result of Soviet deportations and World War II, Estonians scattered into various countries, including France, where their number remained yet modest. In spite of several joint arrangements and clubs, Estonians are rather individualistic and pigheaded, and any outrage or discontent is remembered for a long time and hardly forgiven... All this is well depicted in the film, where two ladies of different age and background have to make amends, cope and find new angles to get along. As for the cast, Jeanne Moreau and Laine Mägi give really pleasant and strong performances, their mutual chemistry is visible both in agreeing and disagreeing scenes; male characters are more sketchy and plain (including the one played by Patrick Pineau).

The bizarre thing and minus from me is the fact the old lady refused to talk Estonian - Estonians refugees were very proud of the roots and language, older generations have not forgotten it even after 40+ years abroad. Thus, the character played by Moreau could have been French or someone left for France as a very young child...

Thus, the film in question is not the best Ilmar Raag has directed and written, but it is still worth watching, particularly among middle-aged/elderly people.

I would not call this movie "a waste of time". While the younger audience might not like or understand it,the more mature one might resonate with it. This movies is about aging,loneliness,the inescapable burden of taking care of ailing parents, loosing connection with grown up children and finding again life's purpose when there seems to be none. It is about letting go and letting in. The performances were great. I liked the plot. Someone has mentioned that it had been explored many times before, -I can't recall any. The ending was surprising and somewhat unrealistic since nothing in this movie had led to it.

'A Lady in Paris' is pretty mediocre film, it's not bad at all - script is well structured (although trivial with its theme), acting is from finest class, direction is smooth and without too many stylish exravanganzas. The film is not bad, it is quite good actually - technically speaking. But the problem is - it is not very memorable. The film has all the elements to be good drama or comedy, but it lacks something. For me the film felt lifeless - the two main actors did stellar job, but their dialogue was boring. It was very easy to let ones mind to wonder while watching the film. Not bad, not good, simply unmemorable.

Even other reviews for this film were boring.

I liked the cultural aspects. The pure woman who came from another culture, escaping from her unfortunate situation, looking for a better life style trying to deal with a decadent old lady, who has been polluted with the life style of the big city and as she realized that she's old, she doesn't want to be alone and she's looking for someone who loves her as much as she does. I liked to listening to the Estonian language which it seems to be beautiful and I liked also the fashion style of the Parisian people.

By other hand, we have seen this kind of story several times, anything exciting to appreciate,very ordinary. I won't see this film anymore.