"Girl on a Bicycle" is a confusing film. While there is much to like in this romantic comedy, it also manages to do some very unromantic things which might make it tough to watch...especially for a date night.
Paolo and Greta live together in Paris and when the story begins, he asks her to marry him. The scene is quite cute and it's really easy to like the characters...especially Greta. Then, something odd happens which isn't romantic at all. While Paolo is out driving his tour bus, he sees a pretty lady on a bicycle and begins obsessing about her...even though Greta is a terrific woman and they're engaged. I don't know about you, but this seems out of place with a rom-com. I cannot imagine anything romantic about becoming engaged and then obsessing about another woman unless the fiancee is evil in some way...and this isn't the case. In fact, the other woman, to me, seems far less likable and a bit flighty.
When Paolo tells his friend about his obsession, the friend recommends he actually talk to the woman...then he'll realize she's not better than the fiancee. Odd advice, I know. However, instead of just asking her for her phone number, he stalks her with a bus full of people...nearly killing them as he speeds down the narrow Parisian streets. Then, after he catches up to her, he accidentally runs her over! Then, after she's released from the hospital, he takes her home and cares for her and her two kids. Funny? No. Cute. No.
Now comes another problematic part. The children think that Paulo is their long lost father and they call him Papa again and again...and he never corrects them and tells them the truth. This really doesn't make any sense...and took me out of the story....as did his chasing their mother. Plus, Paolo is either going to hurt these children very badly or his fiancee. None of this seemed romantic nor funny....just confusing. Plus, he treats sweet Great abominably...which is infuriating.
As a result, I was NOT thrilled with the plot at all and think it really hindered the movie. It's a shame as there area few nice performances and the film has a nice look and sound to it...but the story just isn't romantic...it's confusing. I can see why the film has many review that love it...and just as many that hate it.
By the way, this French-German co-production is unusual in that the dialog is in French, German, Italian and, mostly, English...which is odd since the film is set in Paris and neither of the main characters are native English speakers. When I saw it on DVD, naturally the first three languages were captioned...but the English wasn't and really should have been due to some heavy accents (particularly by Vincenzo Amato (Paolo).
Technically well made but terribly unromantic...which make it a very disappointing rom-com.
Paolo and Greta live together in Paris and when the story begins, he asks her to marry him. The scene is quite cute and it's really easy to like the characters...especially Greta. Then, something odd happens which isn't romantic at all. While Paolo is out driving his tour bus, he sees a pretty lady on a bicycle and begins obsessing about her...even though Greta is a terrific woman and they're engaged. I don't know about you, but this seems out of place with a rom-com. I cannot imagine anything romantic about becoming engaged and then obsessing about another woman unless the fiancee is evil in some way...and this isn't the case. In fact, the other woman, to me, seems far less likable and a bit flighty.
When Paolo tells his friend about his obsession, the friend recommends he actually talk to the woman...then he'll realize she's not better than the fiancee. Odd advice, I know. However, instead of just asking her for her phone number, he stalks her with a bus full of people...nearly killing them as he speeds down the narrow Parisian streets. Then, after he catches up to her, he accidentally runs her over! Then, after she's released from the hospital, he takes her home and cares for her and her two kids. Funny? No. Cute. No.
Now comes another problematic part. The children think that Paulo is their long lost father and they call him Papa again and again...and he never corrects them and tells them the truth. This really doesn't make any sense...and took me out of the story....as did his chasing their mother. Plus, Paolo is either going to hurt these children very badly or his fiancee. None of this seemed romantic nor funny....just confusing. Plus, he treats sweet Great abominably...which is infuriating.
As a result, I was NOT thrilled with the plot at all and think it really hindered the movie. It's a shame as there area few nice performances and the film has a nice look and sound to it...but the story just isn't romantic...it's confusing. I can see why the film has many review that love it...and just as many that hate it.
By the way, this French-German co-production is unusual in that the dialog is in French, German, Italian and, mostly, English...which is odd since the film is set in Paris and neither of the main characters are native English speakers. When I saw it on DVD, naturally the first three languages were captioned...but the English wasn't and really should have been due to some heavy accents (particularly by Vincenzo Amato (Paolo).
Technically well made but terribly unromantic...which make it a very disappointing rom-com.