Midnight in Paris

Midnight in Paris (2011) – Movie Review

Director: Woody Allen

Screenwriter: Woody Allen

Producers: Letty Aronson, Jaume Roures, Stephen Tenenbaum 

Studio: Sony Pictures Classics 

Production Companies: Gravier Productions, Mediapro, Televisio de Catalunya

Top Billed Cast: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kurt Fuller, Mimi Kennedy, Michael Sheen (no relation), Nina Arianda, Adrien Brody, Gad Elmaleh, Carla Bruni 

LOGLINE: When a writer goes to Paris with his fiance and her parents he finds all the inspiration he needs on his fantastical midnight strolls.

VIEWING CIRCUMSTANCES: At the cinema (Dendy, Canberra) with my wife, after having a beer and a sake at the Nara festival.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Good movie. In fact, I'm going to say my favourite Woody Allen film. The film fraternity will probably kick me out for saying that (instead of Annie Hall or Hannah and Her Sisters, which are generally considered the book ends of the golden period of Woody Allen), but being the Francophile that I am, he had me with the opening 3 minute sequence which consists of nothing but music and beautiful shots of Paris.

STORY: The story is pretty stock standard (Hero travels to new worlds to find what he's missing) but with some nice quirks and, of course, Jewish-style neuroticism, which Woody Allen is famous for, but this subtler form in his older age is more to my taste.

PRODUCTION: Lovely cinematography, set design and costuming etc all adds to the magical feel of the film, like an American made Amelie.

PERFORMANCE: Owen Wilson plays a great Woody Allen (he doesn't actually play Woody Allen but you get what I mean), though the costuming of a 50-something Jew on a 40-something Yank didn't work as well. Carli Bruni, the real life French President's real life Wife (and ex-nude model and pop star) was great as the tour guide, and Marion Cottiard was gorgeous and brilliant as always. Kurt Fuller played the Jeffrey Tamboresque role well and loads of great cameos particularly Adrien Brody's. Rachael McAdams? Not sure, I have a hard time critiquing unlikable portrayals because they're, well, unlikable... but I think she did pretty good.

OVERALL: A lovely little flick very french, very clever.

MEETSLINE: Back to the Future meets Amelie

FAVOURITE QUOTE: " for that moment when you are making love with a woman of true greatness you will feel immortal."


"That Paris exists and anyone could choose to live anywhere else in the world will always be a mystery to me."

"Gil: I would like you to read my novel and get your opinion. 
Ernest Hemingway: I hate it.
Gil: You haven't even read it yet. Ernest Hemingway: If it's bad, I'll hate it. If it's good, then I'll be envious and hate it even more. You don't want the opinion of another writer."

"Luis Buñuel: A man in love with a woman from a different era. I see a photograph! 
Man Ray: I see a film!
Gil: I see insurmountable problem! Salvador Dalí: I see rhinoceros!"

"Ernest Hemingway: You'll never be a great writer if you fear dying, do you? 
Gil: Yeah, I do. I would say it's my greatest fear."

"You're very kind, but I wouldn't call my babbling poetic. Although I was on a pretty good roll there."

"That's what the present is. It's a little unsatisfying because life is unsatisfying."

RECOMMENDED ACCOMPANIMENT: French wine, camembert, brie, baguette, etc.

RATING:

4 1/2 out of 5 reels of film.

Movie Review by A.B. McBlogsmith the Backwards Cap Film Reviewer

(C) Review Flix 2011