Two Days in Paris

Directed by Julie Delpy, this terrific movie achieves two things that few French films have managed in the past few years. It is funny - it really is - and shows genuine insight into what it is like to be a stranger not waving but drowning in the beautiful but barbaric cultural sea that is l’exception Française. (This tortuous extended image is used with kind permission of the French film industry)

Adam Goldberg, who seems to specialise in playing a certain sort of goofy, geeky, slightly unnerving American, does his thing down to a tee here as the guest of his French girlfriend Delpy and her rabbit-skinning, sex-discussing, Jim Morrison-shagging parents.

Of course, like all French directors Julie D can’t resist the lure d’auteur. She incorporates her real-life visual impairment into the early part of the film never to mention it again. Yes, I know, it’s supposed to be symbolic but your symbolism should be part of the narrative not just tacked on.

But it’s a small quibble (and one that could be made of 90% of French films) and this is frankly the best French movie since Depardieu was in his illustrious, industrious pomp. Anyone who pardoned, quoied and je suis desoled their way through their first visit - or in my case, first fifty visits - to France will find this amusing. And that’s most of us, I’d imagine