This past Summer it was announced that after a 71 year tenure, just across from the Plaza Hotel, the iconic Paris theater would be closing. New York cinephiles were heartbroken to see the last single-screen theater in the city close. With its plush seats, classic decor, striking balcony and grand curtain, the Paris is a one- of- a-kind, magic movie experience. Naturally, New York movie buffs, including myself, were more than thrilled in October to hear that Netflix would be reviving the theater briefly with their Oscar contender, Marriage Story, directed by Noah Baumbach, and starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson.
I bought my tickets right away for opening night, and it was an incredible experience to be back there again. It is like a blast from the past, a truly elegant kind of movie going. Audiences even get to hear pieces of Randy Newman’s new musical score for the film before it begins, while the curtain is still covering the screen.
When I and, I’m sure, many of my Paris Theater lovers left that night, it was with bitter sweetness in our hearts because it was probably the last time we would ever be there on the almost, but not, royal blue-grey velvet seats – a majestic color fitting of such a theater. But, much to our surprise and delight, it was recently announced that Netflix struck a lease deal with the landlord, real estate mogul Sheldon Solow to keep the famed theater alive. The details of how the theater will be run and what films will be shown are not yet available, but Netflix is expected to use the stunning venue to showcase their original films, and you can still catch Marriage Story there right now. Cinema lovers all over New York are over the moon to hear that they will be able to return to this beautiful theater once again.