Heartbreak and Glamour: Elizabeth Taylor Shines in ‘Paris’
Film: The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954)
Stars: Elizabeth Taylor, Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Donna Reed, Eva Gabor, Roger Moore
Director: Richard Brooks
Oscar History: No nominations
Snap Judgment Ranking: 2/5 stars
Key points
As part of our Saturdays with the Stars series, we spotlight classical Hollywood icons who transitioned to television. This month, we delve into the career of Donna Reed, culminating with her role in “The Last Time I Saw Paris.” Despite a high-budget production, this film marked the end of Reed’s theatrical movie career before she found success on television.
The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954) Plot
Based on a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the movie unfolds in post-World War II Paris and follows the tumultuous relationship between war correspondent Charles Willis (Van Johnson) and the vibrant Helen Ellswirth (Elizabeth Taylor). The film starts with a chance encounter between Charles and Helen on the night of the Liberation, setting the stage for their passionate romance.
Helen’s free-spirited nature and the hedonistic lifestyle of her father, James Ellswirth (Walter Pidgeon), draw Charles into a world of bohemian excess. Despite his aspirations to become a novelist, Charles struggles to find success, leading to a strained marriage and eventual infidelity. The turning point arrives when a barren oil field, part of Helen’s dowry, unexpectedly starts producing, bringing wealth but also further complicating their lives.
The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954) Review
“The Last Time I Saw Paris” attempts to blend Fitzgerald’s signature romanticism and cynicism, but it falls short in several areas. Elizabeth Taylor delivers a strong performance, her beauty and charisma lighting up the screen. Her portrayal of Helen, a woman caught between love and disillusionment, is compelling and nuanced.
Van Johnson, however, struggles to convey the depth of his character’s internal turmoil. His chemistry with Taylor feels forced, and the romantic subplot involving Eva Gabor and Roger Moore lacks credibility. Donna Reed, playing Helen’s sister Marion, is underutilized, though she shines in her limited screen time, bringing a subtle intensity to her role.
Director Richard Brooks captures the essence of Parisian life with stunning cinematography and a lavish production design. The film’s visual appeal, enhanced by MGM’s trademark gloss, offers a nostalgic glimpse into the post-war era. However, the story’s pacing is uneven, and the plot occasionally veers into melodrama, undermining its emotional impact.
In Conclusion While “The Last Time I Saw Paris” has its flaws, Elizabeth Taylor’s performance and the film’s visual splendor make it worth watching. The movie serves as a fascinating snapshot of a transitional period in Hollywood, marking the end of Donna Reed’s film career and her move to television. For fans of classic cinema and Fitzgerald’s literature, this film offers a bittersweet tale of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of happiness. Available on various digital platforms, it remains a notable entry in the annals of Hollywood history, even if it doesn’t quite achieve its lofty ambitions.
