Real Love
The opening scenes of the movie are shots of different locations in Paris. The film continues without any dialogue and only shows imagery of Paris, for approximately four minutes. This imagery highlights to the viewer the importance of the city in the movie and paints it as not just the only location of the movie but also the true passion of the protagonist, Gil Pender.
Reluctance
After Inez’s friends convince her and Gil to come to Versailles with them, we see Inez start discussing the main protagonist that Gil is developing for his book. As she starts to talk about it, we see Gil walk out of the frame for a brief moment and then appear again in the shot, standing separate from the three discussing his book’s character. This imagery shows Gil’s reluctance to discuss his work and further hints at his not wanting to be there with Inez’s friends.
Writers
When Gil gets lost during his drunk walk towards his hotel, we see him meet up with acclaimed writers of old. These writers have had already reached their death beds long ago. Yet this imagery of Gil meeting with them and talking to Hemmingway about his novel represents his confusion about his book. The imagery clearly shows us how distressed Gil is about his novel and wants someone to critique it.
Leaving the Past
During his third meeting with Adriana, Gil completely feels in love with her and they start walking through different places in Paris. Until eventually, a horse carriage arrives and takes them further in the past. This era is liked by Adriana who thinks it is the golden age. Here, Gil realizes how everyone doesn’t like their present and think time before them was a golden age. So, Adriana and Gil say goodbye to each other. This imagery of Gil leaving Adriana eludes to the evolution of Gil’s thought process. This imagery of separation shows us Gil’s progression as a writer and a person.
