Steve Smith
I've read a number of the comments on this film, and have a bit to agree with on most of them. The budget on this film had to have been very, very low. It's obviously shot on video, but the lighting is actually pretty good. The plot is old and, in essence, revealed in a flying hurry. Novice cop Jason Bartok (overacted by Chad Allen) accidentally shoots his partner, Leon King (wheezed through by James Russo), and the dirty-cop partner sends him off with a sack o' money and the "dying wish" that he find Linda, an Asian girl, with a picture and the name of a massage parlor. Jason's an idiot, plain and simple. He runs off, headlong into prostitution rings, Asian mobs, and finally into the arms of Linda (naturally an Anglicized version of her Chinese name, Shen Li - played by Bai Ling). Naturally, they run from one seedy motel to another, eventually falling in love in one night of awkward revelations and the revelation of Bai Ling's pert talents. From there, they predictably have to pay off Shen Li's debt to the mob, which inevitably reveals the unsurprising fact that Leon is still alive. Shootout occurs, all is made right in the world, and they're off to their shared dream...Paris. The acting is generally poor (though both Bai Ling and Chad Allen have moments of better acting), the plot is refried, and even the T&A is subdued. It won't kill you to watch it, but boring is the watchword.
Suzanne Davis
The love story between Bai Ling and Chad Allen is powerful and I thought very tender. The two have very potent on-screen chemistry that heightens their plight as star-crossed lovers on the run. The movie has some great locations in Las Vegas and then out in the desert, and some fun cameos (remember Karen Black? Oh, and RON JEREMY! :) BTW. Chad Allen is HOTTT. he's the reason I decided to watch this film, but I wasn't expecting to enjoy the romance of the two main characters nearly so much, and now I want to go and watch all of Bai Ling's other films!
briantaves
A demonstration of how good a performer can be, even when the movie is ineptly directed and photographed. Bai Ling stands out for her emotional range and beauty, despite the fact that the camera here doesn't fails to take best advantage of her. The plot is the routine corrupt cops story, full of plot holes, not making much sense, with a couple thrown together and finding tragic love. The film's style constantly distracts and annoys with repetitive canted angles and a failure to take advantage of scenic possibilities, especially in the desert. The seams show so badly that it is barely above the standard of a student film. Bai Ling deserves so much better, yet withal still worth seeing just for her sake as a lesson in the art of acting.
southinnyc
Paris is an intriguing take on what film noir looks like with contemporary production technology and a contemporary storyline. In the process, the film presents the important and neglected problem of forced Asian prostitution. The acting is very good.including Karen Black! I recommend it.