FRENCH actress Julie Delpy's first film as a director (and writer, star, editor and composer - doesn't she ever sleep?) has led to comparisons with Woody Allen. As he's showing signs of wear and tear in recent movies, I suppose this is no bad thing.

Two Days In Paris is surprisingly funny, possibly because the story seems autobiographical (it's not, says Delpy) and this makes us expect more dramatic soul-searching so the humour is double welcome.

Delpy still delivers plenty of home truths about love, parents and culture clashes but in an amusing way.

She plays French photographer Marion, passing through Paris on her way back to the US with her American boyfriend (Adam Goldberg) after a disastrous trip to Venice.

Meeting her parents (played by Delpy's real mum and dad Marie Pillet and Albert Delpy) goes badly and so does sex over some business about French condoms being too small. Then there's Marion's obsessive ex-boyfriend who won't leave her alone and still dreams of winning her back.

Delpy wears her many hats with considerable skill, making Marion at times infuriating and charming, with Goldberg suitably angst-ridden as Parisian life and people threaten to send him over the edge.

Stars: Julie Delpy, Adam Goldberg
Running time: 96 mins
Rating: Three stars