The Last Time I Saw Paris

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The Last Time I Saw Paris

Released Nov 18, 1954

1h 56m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

70%

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10 Reviews

48%

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2,500+ Ratings

Reporter Charles Wills (Van Johnson), in Paris to cover the end of World War II, falls for the beautiful Helen Ellswirth (Elizabeth Taylor) following a brief flirtation with her sister, Marion (Donna Reed). After he and Helen marry, Charles pursues his novelistic ambition while supporting his new bride with a deadening job at a newspaper wire service. But when an old investment suddenly makes the family wealthy, their marriage begins to unravel -- until a sudden tragedy changes everything.

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TIME Magazine

This picture tries to please everybody. It won't.

Mar 23, 2011

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

An engrossing romantic drama that tells a good story with fine performances and an overall honesty of dramatic purpose.

Apr 8, 2008

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

What is to be said of such a picture? The story is trite. The motivations are thin. The writing is glossy and pedestrian. The acting is pretty much forced.

Rated: 1.5/5

Mar 25, 2006

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The film struggles with its bathetic components.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 10, 2023

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Robert Bingham

The Reporter

I certainly wouldn't trouble you with a description of this abysmal film.

Jan 25, 2022

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Somewhat engrossing but too much a dull and heavy-handed tragic melodrama.

Rated: B-

May 27, 2015

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Ocracoke I

I like Van Johnson, I like Walter Pigeon, I don't like this movie. I guess my problem is I don't care for the love story and Van Johnson just seems sad constantly, from the start, Paris seems impressively sad, he reacts to everything like he's constipated. There's an overall sadness to this movies start to finish, it never lets up, and by the end it's just worn you down. I think someone reviewed this movie and said it tries to please everybody it won't. My opinion it pleases no one. Frankly I got tired of the kissing in this movie. I just didn't care about any of the characters. Forget Paris. The last time I saw this movie, once was enough. It may be worthwhile to watch it for Van Johnson and Walter, I couldn't care less about Elizabeth Taylor, I've never been fan, too much baggage for me, much like her character in this movie.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

09/03/25

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bao s

Liz is a dream.. Liz is a dream!!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

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Madam D

While overly melodramatic & an almost silly plot, it is interesting enough via watching the changes in a relationship over many years.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

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S R

Almost good. It was tedious and frustrating, but at the same time well made and well acted. I wish they would have been able to have more of Paris to show its eccentricities. Saw on TCM.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/17/23

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James B

Taylor is at the height of her beauty. One and a half stars for the eye candy factor. Among other things, the editing is horrendous.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/15/23

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Audience Member

Great cast . Drags on a bit, but a good story and setting in Paris

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/30/21

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Richard Brooks

Director

Elizabeth Taylor

Helen Ellswirth

Van Johnson

Charles Wills

Walter Pidgeon

James Ellswirth

Donna Reed

Marion Ellswirth

Eva Gabor

Mrs. Lorraine Quarl

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Synopsis

Reporter Charles Wills (Van Johnson), in Paris to cover the end of World War II, falls for the beautiful Helen Ellswirth (Elizabeth Taylor) following a brief flirtation with her sister, Marion (Donna Reed). After he and Helen marry, Charles pursues his novelistic ambition while supporting his new bride with a deadening job at a newspaper wire service. But when an old investment suddenly makes the family wealthy, their marriage begins to unravel -- until a sudden tragedy changes everything.

Director: Richard Brooks
Producer: Jack Cummings
Screenwriter: Richard Brooks, Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Distributor: Hollywood Classics, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Take 2 Video, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Navarre Entertainment, Madacy Entertainment Group Inc. [us]
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 1954, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 56m

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