Unless I received a major government bailout, it looks like my vacation plans this year will be a trip to my local Blockbuster Video. I am going to have to take a Vicarious Vacation via a few of my favorite movies.

My blogging buddy Andi from Misadventures with Andi recently returned from a month-long trip to France with her husband. OK. I am  jealous. So to live vicariously through  Andi’s misadventures in France, I am putting on a black beret, pouring myself a lovely glass (or two) of wine and foregoing  my ban on carbs to enjoy a croissant and some fromage (that’s all that remains of 4 years of high school French) and taking my first Vicarious Vacation to France!

Ah Paris!

Chocolat

Ah…Johnny Depp, a small French village and chocolates. Need I say more? But I will. Lasse Hallström directed this charming movie about Vivienne, a single mom who makes exquisite chocolates that stir up trouble when she moves to a sleepy little village controlled by  a prominent, but very repressed  businessman (Alfred Molina) who tries to control the lives of everyone. There is something terribly wrong with a man who won’t let people eat chocolate.  Other local towns people include Dame Judy Dench, Carrie-Anne Moss and France’s own Leslie Caron.  Then there is  Hot Johnny with a ponytail, as a gypsy who comes to town and is the cherry on top of this sweet, delightful movie.

If you want to continue your visit to France, here are a few more suggestions with a French flavor.

Mama, There is a Man in Your Bed (Romauld et Juliette)

Daniel Auteuil stars as the CEO of a yogurt company who gets framed in a food-poisoning scandal that could ruin his career and send him to prison. The only person who will help him is the  cleaning-woman, who has problems of her own. This is a very cute comedy about how love can happen despite social or racial barriers.  In French with English subtitles.

French Kiss

Chick Flick Queen,  Meg Ryan stars as a young woman who’s  fiancee calls her  from Paris to dump her. She decides to run off Paris to get her man back. On the plane to Paris she meets, Luc played by Kevin Kline. He is a sleazy  thief who plants stolen goods in her bag. Of course comedy and romance are off to a great start with this crazy set of circumstances. Meg Ryan, as always is adorable and Kevin Kline is charming as they romp through the French countryside, falling in love along the way.

Andi’s Favorite French Films

Andi shares some of her favorite French Films with me and I have to agree with her on these. I may have to extend my vicarious French vacation a few more days to enjoy these wonderful movies.

Amelie (Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain)

Amelie stars Audrey Tautou in this whimsical  story of a young waitress with an extremely fanciful imagination. Growing up with tragedy and loneliness, Amelie finds joy in helping other people. But she doesn’t just help them, she  invents all sorts of little tricks that allow her to secretly intervene into the lives of her friends and neighbors. In French with English subtitles.

Jean De Florette / Manon of the Spring

This is really one movie with two parts. Jean de Florette is set in beautiful, rustic and picturesque Provence in the 1920s. Yves Montand and Daniel Auteuil star as greed  a wealthy landowner and his nephew  scheme to steal property from their neighbor Jean de Florette, a local farmer  by blocking his water source. The great French actor Gérard Depardieu stars as Jean de Florette.

Manon of the Springs (Manon des sources) takes up where Jean de Florette leaves off.  Emmanuelle Béart plays Manon, the daughter of Jean, who seeks revenge on those who ruined her father’s life. In French with English subtitles.

A Good Year

Ridley Scott directs Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard (also starring with Johnny Depp in the upcoming Public Enemy) in this movie set in the wine country of Provence. To be honest, I haven’t seen this movie. It’s my thing with Russell Crowe. It took two years to see A Beautiful Mind. Don’t ask me to explain it. It’s the same as my thing with Julia Roberts. Don’t be mad at me. But Andi says its  good and I will take her recommendation. Let me know if you have seen it.

And if you are in the mood for musicals, try An American in Paris. I am sure it was shot on an MGM sound stage, but it has some wonderful dance numbers with the great Gene Kelley and Leslie Caron. You will love Funny Face, which asks the question: What will an idealistic Greenwich Village bookstore sales girl do to get an all expenses paid trip to Paris?  Become a high fashion model, wear gorgeous clothes and dance with Fred Astaire.  Que horror! Don’t miss the “Think Pink” number. Its pinkalicious!

That ends my Vicarious Vacation to France.  What are you favorite French movies?   Where should I visit next?

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