For most Americans USA represents the shining beacon of world's democracy and embodiment of all the noblest ideals that had inspired its founders two centuries ago. For many people outside its borders, especially these days, USA is nothing more than evil empire founded by hypocritical slave owners who didn't want to pay taxes. Both camps might find arguments for their positions in Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826), American architect, scholar, statesman and Founding Father. One of the rare films that tries to deal with contradictions in Jefferson's life is Jefferson in Paris, 1995 historical drama directed by James Ivory.
The plot of the film follows Thomas Jefferson (played by Nick Nolte) during his years as new nation's representative at the court of French king Louis XVI (played by Michel Lonsdale). While France, burdened by obsolete system of absolute monarchy and high cost of its recent war with Britain, slowly slides towards revolution, many of its liberal intellectuals like La Fayette (played by Lambert Wilson) see recent experience of American Revolution as a good solution for French problems. Jefferson, on the other hand, seems to be more preoccupied with personal issues - he flirts with Maria (played by Greta Scacchi), wife of sexually ambigious British painter Richard Cosway (played by Simon Callow), while his young daughter Patsy (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) considers converting to Catholicism. Jefferson's focus of attention changes with an arrival of his 15-year old slave Sally Hemmings (played by Thandie Newton), young girl to whom he feels attracted, at the utmost horror of Patsy.
Producer Ismail Merchant, director James Ivory and writer Ruth Prawer Jhabwala – trio responsible for some of the best known period dramas in few past decades - miss one important ingredient of the formulas that have gave them success in the past. Prawer Jhabwala's script this time is not based on literary source and the plot of the film is not properly framed. The subject and setting of the film, however, could have resulted in film that tackles with many important and thought-provoking issues. Jefferson in Paris could have explored the inner conflict of Jefferson - man torn between his noble ideals and personal frailty. The film could have dealt with the most controversial issue of American democracy in its first century of existence - fact that nation founded on ideals of liberty and equality condoned institution of slavery. Finally, it could explore the links between American and French revolution and even drop few hints in Jefferson's revolutionary radicalism serving as an inspiration for Robespierre, Lenin, Pol Pot and similar kind of people in the future.
Unfortunately, Jefferson in Paris fails to deal with each of those issues. Instead we get sterile melodrama, partly based on speculations about Jefferson's private life in Paris, and partly on the urban legend about Jefferson having children with Sally Hemmings - claim that, based on DNA research, gained much credibility in past few years. To make things worse, the script refuses to show that Jefferson actually had sex with Hemmings and leaves the issue in the realms of speculation. But the audience probably wouldn't care, because Jefferson, just like any other character in film, is hardly interesting. Nick Nolte seems bored and disinterested for the role, thus making very unconvincing portrayal of one of world history's most peculiar personalities. Despite large amount of budget being spent on elaborate sets and costumes, recreations of important historical events (flight of Montgolfier's balloon, fall of Bastille) make equally weak impact. The only thing worth watching in Jefferson in Paris is young Gwyneth Paltrow in complex role of Jefferson's daughter, but her performance is not enough to justify sitting two and half hours in front of screen and receiving less information than you would usually get in thirty minutes of documentary.
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on April 21st 2003)
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