The film “2 Days in Paris” is NOT “Before Sunset.” Yes, Julie Delpy stars (alongside Adam Goldberg this time) and yes, she co-wrote the new film as she did the 2004 sequel to “Before Sunrise,” but this is a comedy first and foremost, and a biting one at that. The always outspoken Delpy spoke with me the other day about her new film and what she thinks the future holds for her and Ethan Hawke’s characters in that other relationship movie of hers.
MTV: I think some people may be taken aback expecting another “Before Sunset” when they walk into this.
Julie Delpy: Well, the way I financed the film is I kind of tricked the financiers into giving me money. A friend of mine said, “Why don’t you make a film that seems like ‘Before Sunset,’ because that’s what you were successful for and then make a very different film?” So it’s about an American guy and a French girl in Paris. But then it’s very, very different.
MTV: On the surface you could see how people would think it’s similar.
JD: Yeah of course but then “Before Sunset” is really about two people reuniting after ten years. It’s not about a couple. It’s about two people meeting again and they’re meant for each other which is very different from “2 Days in Paris.” This is about a couple and what can happen within a couple, all the problems and getting to the point where it’s like, do I stay with this person or not? Is this person worthy of my trust and my love?
MTV: Your real life parents play your parents in the film and they’re both great. Which depiction in the film is closer to real life, your mom sleeping with Jim Morrison or your dad keying cars?
JD: My dad keying cars, for sure. No, my mom never slept with Jim Morrison. She’s very in love with my dad. They were quite happy with these characters. My dad was ecstatic to play this kind of perverted Santa Claus, obsessed with dirty stuff. They’re very open-minded.
MTV: Nearly every French character you and Adam meet in the film is obsessed with sex.
JD: Obviously it’s not a reality. I needed Jack to feel like every Frenchman is a pervert and every French woman is a slut. It feeds his paranoia.
MTV: And of course it feeds into the stereotypes that are out there.
JD: Exactly, about French women being easy and all that. I don’t know why there’s this reputation. Actually it’s kind of really annoying. I’ve been involved for years with someone at times and I meet these guys and they still assume that I’m available. I’m like, you will die if you touch me, man! I’ll tell you that. If you try anything on me, I will kill you! I’m the most exclusive person there is on the planet.
MTV: Ethan Hawke told me recently about the plan that was abandoned to do another sequel to “Before Sunrise” right after “Before Sunset” came out.
JD: I would have been open to it. I think [director] Richard [Linklater] was not available. We were talking about it and then that time passed by. I don’t know if we’ll ever do a third one. We’ll have to stumble onto the right idea.
MTV: Do you know what happened to those characters after that last scene?
JD: I do have an idea. I’m not sure 100% but I think he stays in Paris. I’m not sure she would agree to be with him right away until he figures out certain things in his life.
