Paris Je T’aime is a film that viewers take for granted in respect to special effects. Paris Je T’aime is part of the vast genre of films that seemingly do not use special effects, considering that are more obvious usages in other film genres such as the action, fantasy, sci-fi and obviously animated film genres. However, it is this subtle usage of special effects that make it so masterful and without the film piece would not be the same. Paris Je T’aime and many other drama or “light-hearted” films make use of special effects to help tell its tale, to manipulate the images to bring forth the director’s vision.

Paris Je T’aime makes use of several special effects to achieve its elaborate tales. Optical effects, in terms of framing the image, blurring and changing the lighting, and all the camera work are important in creating story. The film in particular depicts 18 short stories using a multitude of different techniques, such as the short on the XVIIe arrondissement that made use of a single continuous shot. Many mechanical effects are used as well, especially with set design and make-up / costume design. The sets are decorated to accurately illustrate each arrondissement, such as in Chinatown of the XIIIe arrondissement.

Of course, Paris Je T’aime does make use of more obvious special effects in the short stories of the mimes in the VIIe arrondissement and of the vampire attack in the VIIIe arrondissement. The story of the mimes makes use of visual effects in slowing down the city around the mimes and the blurry of their rapid legs on the road. These visual effects turn the story into a more fantastical and more dream-like story. The vampire attack makes use of high contrast imagery allowing the shades of white to glow in the dark alleyways and the colour of red to be significantly highlighted. The red blood is a product of special techniques in camera work and in props and set design as it is more viscous then normal blood portrayed.

Additionally, the entire film makes use of sound effects, for example, in the vampire story, and the metro subway short story of the Ier arrondissement. The film, like most modern films, relies heavily on sound effects, allowing for appreciation and realism of depicting the real life city of Paris and for creating the appropriate atmospheres for the mood of the short story.

Though the effects are subtle, they are vital in framing the story in its present condition. They allow the director to focus on the important subjects of the film and to create specific atmospheres and spaces. Paris Je T’aime relies mostly on the regular special effects of yesteryear (of course brought up to modern specifications) without too much on the digital methods of tomorrow. However, this creates the dynamic images and portrayal of Paris through sight and sound.