When I first read Jackie Collins serialised novel L. A.
CONNECTIONS in 1998 I remember thinking that it would definitely make a great
miniseries. But since minis were quickly becoming a thing of the past, I had
little hope that it would come to fruition, let alone become a movie or a TV
movie. Cut to 2010 and surprise, surprise, the thing was actually happening,
thanks to the UK chain store Tusco which then produced (with the help of
Collins herself) an actual movie adaptation and released it on DVD exclusively.
It took this Canadian blogger a multi-region DVD and another 15 years to
finally catch a copy to review.
The main premise of JACKIE COLLINS’ PARIS
CONNECTIONS is basically the same as in L. A. CONNECTIONS: American
reporter Madison Castelli (Nicole Steinwedell) flies to Paris to investigate a
murder mystery involving dead models during Fashion Week. There she hooks up,
in more ways than one, with old fling and photographer Jake Sica (Anthony Delon)
who agrees to help her with the case.
Shot on location, JACKIE
COLLINS’ PARIS CONNECTIONS is a
sight for sore eyes with its panorama view of the City of Light and the many
glittery sequences of the fast-moving jet setters. Whether focusing on a
catwalk or simply on a terrace café director Harley Cokeliss (BLACK MOON
RISING) clearly succeeds in capturing the essence of Collins vision in the
French capitol. Story wise, Michael Tupy does a fine job translating the author
story to the screen. His understanding of the characters, especially of the
heroine, makes for a fine light-hearted mix of romance and suspense. The entire
cast seem to enjoy themselves as well, including GAME OF THRONES Charles Dance
and the late international star Anouk Aimée (A MAN AND A WOMAN) who makes a delightful
cameo as a sought-after but headstrong designer.
Nicole Steinwedell who, as noted earlier, plays the
sassy heroine is completely new to me. She already has quite an impressive acting
resume, however, in shows like DAWSON’S CREEK, TWO AND A HALF MEN, CSI and
feature films like A SINGLE MAN. In 2024, according to Wikipedia, she was appointed
Vice-President and Banker for a private firm in New-York. So my guess is that
she’s put her acting chomps aside for a career in finance. We wish her well. Maybe
she’ll turn up in something else someday. She sure is a good enough actress.
JACKIE COLLINS’ PARIS CONNECTIONS may come down to as nothing
more than a frivolous whodunit whose time is indeed more spent on looks than substance,
and still I dig it—as expected. If you’ve managed to make it thus far through
this post, guess what: you‘re addicted to this type of cinematic brain candy
just as I am. And for that I only have one thing left to say: respect.
Until next post—Martin
