Hollywood, Je t’Aime

Synopsis:

Recently broken up and barely enduring a dreary winter, gay Parisian Jérôme Beaunez impulsively books a solo Christmas vacation to Los Angeles. While there he meets some colorful locals and pursues a dormant desire to become a movie star – but never can quite put the past behind him. In this meditation on love and narcissism across continents, Jérôme goes far in the sun-drenched City of Angels but ultimately arrives at an old Hollywood maxim: there’s no place like home.

Quick Thoughts:

I’ve watched “Hollywood, je t’aime” a few times now, but frankly I still am not a fan. Part of that reason is the actor who plays Jérôme always looks a bit dead behind the eyes. Yes, that’s part of why he’s trying to escape from his broken relationship. But even as things start to line up for the better in LA, it’s still the same blank expression across his face. Thankfully, the rest of the cast help bring a bit of life to this otherwise dreary film. While they tried to give this queer film an artistic flair, the switch between B&W and colour, coupled with the random dream/fantasy sequences where Jérôme talks to his ex (and his ex’s new lover) give the film an amateur vibe; and that’s not to mention the scenes that drag on and on. Personally, I’d pass on this film. But is this a queer Christmas film? After all, the highlight of the story is a roughly two week trip to LA over the Christmas holiday. However, other than the occasional Christmas decorations and a casually thrown in Christmas song, there’s not really much else that ties the plot to Christmas or the typical Christmas season spirit.