DECALAGE HORAIRE (JET LAG)

France, 2002, 85 minutes, Colour.
Juliet Binoche, Jean Reno, Sergi Lopez.
Directed by Daniele Thompson.

Jet Lag is a frothy romantic French comedy, very Gallic. It focuses on an odd couple, Juliet Binoche as a beautician whose family is communist and has objected to her profession, who prides herself on her skills, applying the beauty techniques to herself (which Jean Reno then remarks that it would need Ajax to scrub it off). Reno plays a chef who has become an entrepreneur with specialty frozen foods.

They meet at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris during a period of strikes, school holidays, overcrowding and angry travellers at airports – which gives the impression of authenticity. By a series of accidents they get to know each other. She loses her mobile phone and borrows his. He delivers a message to her – too late in an embarrassing situation. They finish up sharing a room overnight as well as some work in the kitchen of the Hotel Hilton. Their antagonism emerges – but also some understanding and, because this is a French film, they fall in love.

The film opens with Juliet Binoche’s character talking about the unreality of American films, the fact that her parents forbade her to see them, that they have a happy ending. Ultimately, this film has a happy ending as the two stars understand themselves better, realise their mutual attraction and how they had helped each other. Portuguese actor who works in many films in France, Sergi Lopez, has a brief cameo as Juliet Binoche’s erratic and angry husband.

1.Popular romantic comedy? In the French style? The Gallic qualities?

2.A French film with emphasis on talk, food, sex, and a critique of France?

3.The airports, the hotels, a sense of authenticity? Audiences identifying with the airport scenes? The contrast with the beauty of Burgundy, Mexico? The musical score – and the use of cinema themes, especially from Midnight Cowboy?

4.Rose, her comments about American films, happy endings, her parents forbidding her to watch them? The ending of this film – and the fulfilment of Rose’s wishes?

5.The airports, the reality, the authentic feel, the strikes, the school holidays, the crowds? Difficulties with fogs? With computer malfunctions? Angry customers, the attendants doing their best? Hotels, cafes, room service?

6.Rose and her glamour, her appearance – her job, her mirror, her continually adjusting her make-up, Felix’s comment about Ajax taking it all off? Her personal problems, the twelve years with Sergio? The phone calls, losing it in the toilet? Sabine, her mother? The warning about Sergio and his anger? Her borrowing Felix’s mobile phone? The return calls? Her being nice to Felix, his disregard? His collapse, getting the doctor, the tablets (and answering Nadia’s call)?

7.Felix, tired as he landed in France, his work in North America? His background as a chef, the frozen foods, the promotion and the launch? His phone calls, getting celebrities? Going to Nadia’s grandmother’s funeral in Munich? Caught in Paris? His collapsing? The doctor’s advice? Lending the phone, giving Rose the message about Sergio and the clash with him?

8.Sergio, Felix delivering the message, Sergio’s hostility, arguing with Rose? Felix taking her away and saving her?

9.The offer of the hotel, Felix suggesting that Rose take advantage of the room? The hotel, the room, their questions of each other, going through each other’s bags? His criticism of the food and room service? Collapse in the bathroom, trying to sleep with his legs raised as the doctor advised? The towels arriving, Rose discovering him? The food, the smells, opening the window? Their stories – and the mutual criticism? Rose and her emotionality, watching the communist film, the Marsellaise? Felix and his lack of feeling, his comments about his wives, the relationship with Nadia?

10.Rose, her work as a beautician, the communist background, her tears, emotions? Her winning the award? Mixing the vinaigrette, her being splashed with it, taking off the make-up? The challenge to change?

11.Felix, his crankiness, breaking Rose’s mirror? The issues about his father, leaving home, never seeing his father again – after preparing the meal, the different menu and his father’s offhand comments? His personal success? His curiosity about sexuality and Rose? Splashing her? Then praising the vinaigrette?

12.Their going to the kitchen, talking, the food? Felix in his element? The discussions about his inability to face breakfast? Rose looking plain but beautiful?

13.Back to the airport, the café, her decision to leave, his inability to face breakfast, his leaving the airport? The future and a happy ending?

14.Rose and her trip to Mexico, getting Felix’s message, turning around and going back?

15.Felix and his trip to Burgundy, seeing his father in the distance, his father recognising him?

16.The blend of froth and intensity? Love-hate? Hope and change?