We just watched Paris, I Love You on DVD last night and I was yet again enthralled by the built environment of Paris. The film has 18 segments, each about 5 minutes long and set in each of the Parisian neighborhoods (Arrondissements). I think Paris is the most beautiful city in the world, followed distantly by St. Petersburg. Watching each of the 18 directors show a slice of Paris was a delight.

The Coen Brothers directed one of my favorite segments, casting Steve Buscemi (Fargo, The Big Lebowski and the intrepid zipliner from the recent Grown-Ups) as an American tourist in the subway. As Buscemi catches the eye of a young couple making out, he comically suffers the Paris nightmare experience.

Another favorite segment, set near the Bastille, shows a husband about to leave his wife for a younger woman but first finding his wife’s terminal Leukemia diagnosis. As he rises to the challenge before him, he rediscovers the love for his wife. I’m a big fan of stories of right action and redemption…I guess I can use all the help I can get.

My favorite segment was set in the Père Lachaise Cemetery, where an engaged couple fight, then make up with the help of the ghost of Oscar Wilde.

The hapless boyfriends uses two wonderful Oscar Wilde lines: “How could you ever be with someone who treats you like a perfectly normal human being?” and “Let’s go back to our room, I’ll make you love.” Another great Wilde quote came from his dying moments. He was in a horrid little apartment on the left bank and his final words were, “Either this wallpaper goes or I do.”

If you enjoy seeing beautiful buildings and cityscapes, and don’t mind sub-titles, check out Paris, Je T’aime.