Paris Nous Appartient (Paris is Ours) (1960)

89% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(695 ratings)

Paris Nous Appartient begins at the end-with a mysterious suicide. Curious as to why a young Spaniard would take his own life, Betty Schneider visits many of the places frequented by the dead youth. She learns from theatre-director Giani Esposito that the suicide victim was part of a sinister… More Paris Nous Appartient begins at the end-with a mysterious suicide. Curious as to why a young Spaniard would take his own life, Betty Schneider visits many of the places frequented by the dead youth. She learns from theatre-director Giani Esposito that the suicide victim was part of a sinister international conspiracy. She further learns from American-expatriate Daniel Crohem that Esposito has also been targeted for persecution by the conspirators. By the time Schneider realizes that the conspiracy was merely a figment of the neurotic Crohem's imagination, the terrified Esposito has killed himself. The intrigues of the plot take second place to the film's centerpiece: an eternally-in-progress stage production of Shakespeare's Pericles, Prince of Tyre. Now regarded as one of the pioneering efforts in the French "New Wave" movement, Paris Belongs to Us was also the first feature-length effort of director (and former critic and film theorist) Jacques Rivette. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr.
Directed By: Jacques Rivette, Denis Héroux
Written By: Jean Gruault, Jacques Rivette
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1960 Wide
On DVD: Nov 11, 2003
Studio: Criterion Collection

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
All this is overblown, making it pretentious, slow-moving and fairly confused. It takes much too long to tell its over-complicated story.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Jacques Rivette's troubled and troubling account of Parisians in the late 50s remains in some ways the most intellectually and philosophically mature of them as well as one of the most beautiful.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Despite its frustrating use of vague suspense and being overblown, Rivette's debut is sound both intellectually and philosophically.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
The movie is a time capsule that is worth opening up to sniff the mood of its age.
Keith Uhlich, Slant Magazine
Rivette was perhaps more of a prognosticator than he realized, anticipating the downfall of the very movement he was involved in before it had effectively begun.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This first feature by Jacques Rivette kindled the flame that became known as the French New Wave.
Trevor Johnston, Time Out
By no means this great filmmaker's best, it's still an auspicious beginning.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
This uncertain first feature from Jacques Rivette from 1961 grew on me -- but it took a while.
Tom Dawson, Film4
A stimulating introduction to Rivette's playful and singular cinematic universe.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Emily B

Jacques Rivette's first feature was filmed over the course of three years which goes to explaining some of the inconsistencies. At the heart of the plot is some sort of mystery/conspiracy, but we the audience never find out what exactly it is the characters are talking about.… More
Jacques Rivette's first feature was filmed over the course of three years which goes to explaining some of the inconsistencies. At the heart of the plot is some sort of mystery/conspiracy, but we the audience never find out what exactly it is the characters are talking about. Though we never find out what is going on, the dialogue and goings on between each character never fail to keep your interest. This added with the experimental jazz style score makes a strange almost surreal film. Look out for cameos by Rivette, Claude Chabrol, Jacques Demy and a fabulous appearance by Jean-Luc Godard.