Paris When It Sizzles
Paris When It Sizzles

Movie spotlight

Paris When It Sizzles

1964
Movie
110 min
English

Hollywood producer Alexander Meyerheimer has hired drunken writer Richard Benson to write his latest movie. Benson has been in Paris supposedly working on the script for months, but instead has spent the time living it up. Benson now has just two days to the deadline and thus hires a temporary secretary, Gabrielle Simpson, to help him finish on time.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes50%
Google Users68%
Director: Richard QuineGenres: Comedy, Romance

Plot Summary

An American screenwriter in Paris, struggling to meet a deadline, invents elaborate scenarios to pitch his movie to his producer. He enlists the help of his sophisticated French typist, Gabrielle, to act out the roles, leading to unexpected romance and comedic situations.

Critical Reception

Paris When It Sizzles was met with a mixed to positive reception. While praised for its charming leads and witty dialogue, some critics found the meta-narrative and comedic execution to be uneven. It's often remembered as a stylish but somewhat flawed entry in the careers of its stars.

What Reviewers Say

  • The chemistry between Hepburn and Holden is a significant draw.

  • The film's meta-commentary on filmmaking is clever but sometimes overpowers the narrative.

  • Visually, the film is a beautiful showcase of Paris.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally highlight the charm of Audrey Hepburn and William Holden, and appreciate the film's playful exploration of filmmaking. Some viewers found the plot convoluted or the humor less effective than intended, but many enjoyed the romantic escapism and Parisian setting.

Fun Fact

The film famously features a scene where Audrey Hepburn, playing a character who is supposed to be impersonating Marilyn Monroe, wears a blonde wig and a pink dress that is a direct homage to Monroe's iconic "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" number from 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review