Jet Lag

The emphasis in Daniele Thompson's sophomore feature (following the sporadically amusing La Buche of 1999) is unhappily on the second word of the title. Though it's a mere 85 minutes, Jet Lag, despite isolated moments of insight and charm, seems deadly slow and a lot longer. One of those romantic comedies in which two totally dissimilar people meet in some cute fashion, bicker for a while, and then suddenly realize that they've fallen hopelessly in love, the couple here are: Rose (Juliette Binoche), a sophisticated but frazzled beautician fleeing her abusive boyfriend, and Felix (Jean Reno), the gastronomically-obsessed head of a frozen-food firm. The pair meet in Paris' de Gaulle airport and end up sharing a hotel room after their flights are canceled. Getting to know each other while squabbling over dinner, they ultimately arrive not at their original destinations but at romance. Unfortunately, the writing isn't sharp enough to freshen the stale plot, and the leads don't exhibit much chemistry in this slight, wispy confection that--like its characters--can't get off the ground. Optional. (F. Swietek)