I mentally tagged this film's predecessor, "2 Days in Paris", as a post romantic comedy, i.e. a comedy examining a relationship after the passion has banked down, and the relationship sustains itself mainly on how well the couple can get along with each other. If "Romeo and Juliet" had had a happy ending, Shakespeare could have written a post-romantic sequel, set five years latter, as the couple struggle with their whacky in-laws, Juliet's strained relationship with Romeo's annoying best buddy, Mercutio, and for good measure a couple of squalling brats. In this sequel, Marion has split up (finally) with her annoying boyfriend Jack, and is living with her son Lulu in her boyfriend Mingus' apartment. Mingus, played by Chris Rock, has shared custody of Willow, a daughter from a previous marriage, and everything seems very cozy, although Mingus is annoyed that Jack has been teaching Lulu to call him "pretend-father", which sounds like Jack. Marion is preparing an exhibition of her photographs, themed around relationships, featuring herself in bed with other people, and before you can say "Nan Goldin", we are told that as part of the opening, she will be auctioning off her soul to the highest bidder. Then, the eagerly awaited visit from her family: along with the expected Jeannot and Rose, from "2 Days in Paris", Manu, now installed as Rose's boyfriend, has made the journey, which makes him the straw that is like to break Mingus' back, and send him for long visits into his office to talk things out with a cardboard cut-out of Mr. Obama. That's the set-up: I don't want to throw out any spoilers. Suffice to say that the culture clash comedy is about as good as you are going to find anywhere, Delpy shines again, and Chris Rock, for whom I have never had much use as an actor, gives a surprisingly nuanced performance. Oh, and from now on, whenever I'm (word I'm not allowed use of by IMDb, but rhymes with "sit") on by a pigeon, I'll wonder what I have done to deserve it,
Review of Two Days in New York
