2 Days in Paris is a romance, no question, filled with hilarious scenes, but don't expect a typical romantic comedy. The couple don't meet cute and don't quibble over trivialities. Instead, they fight over real issues, and say truly hurtful things that will ring true for those in search of an authentic cinematic depiction of relationships. Delpy has played a similar role before (notably in the acclaimed Before Sunrise and Before Sunset), but she makes Marion distinct by creating a complex character not often seen in movies like this.



Mostly what's plaguing her and Jack is jealousy, as he becomes increasingly unnerved when she encounters one ex-boyfriend after another. But the plot works on a deeper level, probing the nature of conflict between couples. Theirs may be a cross-cultural relationship, but the mistrust and misunderstandings that beset them are universal (perhaps funnier, however, and all performed with remarkable elan). The film is a revealing look at what it takes to make a relationship last, and why sometimes it's harder to stick together than it is to flee.