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[/amazon_link]Chinatown (USA, 1974)
This Roman Polanski film stars a much younger (but still balding) Jack Nicholson as detective J.J. Gittes, who specializes in catching cheating spouses.
When hired by a Mrs. Mulwray to expose the illicit affairs of her husband Hollis, Gittes sets about doing the needful, only to realize that this isn’t a straight-forward case of the wayward spouse. Hollis Mulwray is the Chief Engineer of the city’s water department and involved in much more than a mere affair.
This film is a great watch if you love classic mysteries.
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[/amazon_link]2 Days in Paris (France, 2007)
This film is the first of Julie Delpy’s “2 Days” series. In it Delpy plays photographer Marion who’s currently in a relationship with Jack (Adam Goldberg). Both live in New York, and go to Venice for a romantic getaway, and after stop at Paris to visit Marion’s very interesting family.
In Paris, American Jack has a language problem, and Marion’s colorful family comes at him fast and furious. He also has misgivings when he meets a bunch of Marion’s ex-boyfriends whom she’s kept in touch with, which puts a strain on the already floundering relationship.
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[/amazon_link]2 Days in New York (France, 2012)
Cut to many years later, Marion is living with boyfriend Mingus (Chris Rock) and their respective kids from previous relationships. Rock brings his own brand of zany to the film with his meticulously anal, hypochondriac character.
The relative peace is broken when Marion’s eccentric family visits. Much fun ensues.
Like the previous film, this one also has Marion as the central character. The movie itself is frank and funny and a pretty edgy look at contemporary relationships. Delpy has written and directed both films, and done a fabulous job.
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[/amazon_link]Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana (India, 2012)
Kunal Kapoor is Omi Khurana, the wayward son, returning home to his small village in Punjab from the UK, where he had run off to many years ago. He is welcomed back into the fold by the loud, demonstrative Khurana clan to find that his beloved grandfather is now a mute, old man and his first love Harman (the lovely Huma Qureishi) is now a sharp-tongued doctor engaged to his cousin.
This is the rare classy Hindi film with a real story, humor and a nice twist at the end. Full review here.
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[/amazon_link]The Hedgehog (France, 2009)
This sombre film is based upon the book “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery. The film’s main character is 11 year old Paloma, a resident of an upscale Parisian building, who bored of life and “bourgeois living” has decided to end her life after her 12th birthday.
Before then, she gets to know the dour building concierge Renee, despite Renee’s many attempts to put her off. Into this odd circle comes old cultured businessman Kakuro Ozu, and the three become friends.
