Woody Allen romantic comedy set in Paris, starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Michael Sheen, Kathy Bates and Carla Bruni.
Soon to be married Gil (Wilson) and Inez (McAdams) are holidaying in Paris. While Inez spends her time fawning over her smug former boyfriend also on holiday (Sheen), Gil (Wilson) frets over his literary talents - he’s a screenwriter yearning to put his name on a novel and join the pantheon of great American writers of a bygone era. When out exploring by himself, Gil comes across a group of retro-dressed partygoers who beckon him to join them in a spot of time-travelling carousing. There he meets an A-list of literary giants who rubbed shoulders in 1920s Paris. Returning night after night, Gil relishes his new intellectual chums and grows increasingly annoyed at the seemingly shallow reality of life with his future wife and in-laws (Kurt Fuller and Mimi Kennedy).
Like his main character, Gil, it’s clear Woody Allen loves Paris and would have liked to have lived there during the 1920s. This is his ode to the city’s cobbled streets, the river and garden landscapes that inspired Monet, filmed through the love-struck lens of cinematographer Darius Khondji. Paris is probably the strongest character here.
As for at least half of the others, well, Allen didn’t exactly write them. Without the likes of Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, Cole Porter, Gertrude Stein, (Kathy Bates) and Salvador Dali (Adrien Brody) appearing as part of writer Gil’s imagination (or not), the story would have been lightweight indeed. Instead it has a quality that teeters between magical and ridiculous as Gil time-travels between his shallow fiancée Inez (Rachel McAdams) to his surreal romance with Picasso’s mistress Adriana (Marion Cotillard). Don’t count on Gil (a perfectly befuddled Owen Wilson) to hold many illuminating conversations with his idols; the point of this whimsical Allen confection is to muse on the nature of the grass always being greener.
But with little conflict in Gil’s fantasy world, (everyone appears to him as idealised versions of themselves), Midnight in Paris floats along like the dream sequence it is, leaving the viewer feeling simultaneously cheated and amused. Some of their dialogue feels contrived too, the characters coming out with lines as though they were written purely to identify their flaws, particularly the one-dimensional Inez. Somehow though, Gil – and in turn Allen – emerges as charming, neurotic and witty. Despite its flaws, Midnight in Paris will leave a smile on your face, and a yearning to visit the Paris of yesteryear.
By Rebecca Barry Hill, Flicks.co.nz
I think Woody Allen is a comedic, and at times, cinematic, genius. This film is pleasant and watchable, and it's concept of mingling with the literary and arts giants of a bygone era is very exciting, but the anticipation did not live up to the actual result. Owen W is always great, and Rachel M too, but the inevitability of their future is so obvious as to be not worth a second look, so a bit of a let down there. A good movie to take time out from life with, that's about it.
And if you've ever been to Paris you will love it.
Having never been a fan of Owen Wilson, I was initially a bit hesitant to see this, however after hearing rave reviews, plus a spur of the moment visit to the cinema (where the only other choice was Johnny English) made me take the plunge. And I'm very glad that I did! Despite the fantastical elements of many scenes, all the characters were incredibly well-realised and cast. The relationship between Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams' characters is more believable than your average romcom, which is a nice change. The scenes flowed seamlessly together, amazing costuming, makeup and set design, and of course anyone with a love of art and literature will enjoy the references throughout. I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for something light but not too vacuous - you'll definitely leave with a warm fuzzy feeling and a desire to visit Paris!
Certainly not up there with his greats (when he's more direct, more ballsy, like his classics - Annie Hall or Manhattan), but it's breezy, funny and worth a watch for sure. Woody Allen at half mast is better than most.
This film is very easy viewing, utterly charming, heart-warming, wonderfully acted and superbly written.
An unassuming wisp of a movie, Midnight In Paris finds Woody Allen penning a love letter to the City Of Lights, albeit one whose sentiments could easily fit on a postcard.
Owen Wilson is a key to the movie's appeal. He makes Gil so sincere, so enthusiastic.
Light, assured, and utterly charming: Woody Allen’s sublime gifts are still intact.
Darius Khondji's cinematography evokes to the hilt the gorgeously inviting Paris of so many people's imaginations (while conveniently ignoring the rest), and the film has the concision and snappy pace of Allen's best work.
With Midnight in Paris, Allen has lightened up, allowed himself a treat and in the process created a gift for us and him.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 20th Oct 2011.
Release date: October 20th 2011.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
