Currently, Usher is captivating sold-out audiences throughout the US on his sixth concert tour, “Past Present and Future.” Despite this, he hasn’t forgotten about the fans who may not have the chance to experience the tour in person. As a thoughtful gesture, Usher has released the concert film “Usher: Rendezvous in Paris” for those unable to attend the live shows.
Anthony Mandler directed the film from a script by Richard Kimmel. The concert took place during 2023’s Paris Fashion Week at La Seine Musicale and featured songs from his 30-year career. Although I was fortunate to attend the recent DC show, I was equally excited to watch the film, knowing that artists often delight international audiences with unique setlist. The variety in his setlist always keeps the audience on their toes, and I was eagerly anticipating the surprises the film had in store.
The concert starts with the high-energy hit “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” and then features a string of chart-topping songs. Tracks such as “OMG,” “U Don’t Have to Call,” “My Way,” and “U Remind Me” are all included in the 90-minute film. However, there are two standout moments in the movie. The first is when the artist brings the lively atmosphere of an Atlanta strip club to Paris during the performance of “Bad Girl .”The captivating choreography with a very curvy dancer makes this moment unforgettable and adds excitement and anticipation to the film, drawing the audience into the performance.
The second highlight is the rendition of some of the artist’s iconic ballads, including “Burn,” “U Got It Bad,” “Confessions Part II,” “Nice & Slow,” and “Climax.” With their profound emotional depth and Usher’s powerful vocals, these soulful performances add a moving and profoundly connecting element to the concert experience, evoking strong emotions in the audience.
The one issue that I had with the show was the narrative story that Usher tried to tie into the film didn’t particularly gel, in my opinion, with the rest of the concert, and I would have rather that he give us behind-the-scenes footage or just scenes of him exploring the iconic city.
While “Usher: Rendezvous in Paris ” was only in theaters for a weekend, I encourage viewers to give it a look when it becomes available to stream.
Final Grade: B
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