Movie Review: MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

I decided to take a break from the summer blockbusters to check out a smaller movie. I chose Woody Allen's newest, Midnight in Paris. His movies definitely aren't what they used to be, but there have been some winners recently like Match Point and Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Even though I'm a big Woody Allen fan, I don't rush to see them in theaters. After hearing good things, I decided to check out the new one.

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Director/Writer: Woody Allen (Annie Hall, Manhattan, Match Point)
Starring: Owne Wilson (Wedding Crashers), Rachel McAdams (The Notebook), Kathy Bates (Misery), Michael Sheen (The Queen), Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose)




Gil (Wilson) and Inez (McAdams) are traveling in Paris with Inez's parents. Gil is a screenwriter trying to write his first novel. He's contemplating moving to Paris to find inspiration for his novel. Inez's stern priveldged parents are less than thrilled with this idea. One night while strolling the streets of Paris, Gil hitches a ride with some strangers for some midnight fun. He ends up at this party which he thinks is a costume period party. There's a gentleman at the piano that looks like Cole Porter and is playing Cole Porter music. His new friends introduce themselves at Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda. Scott introduces Gil to his friend Hemingway. Gil is really confused and thinks he's now traveled back in time to meet these literary geniouses. Hemingway tells Gil that he will introduce him to Gertrude Stein (Bates), and she can critique his book.



Gil is just beside himself. He tries to tell Inez about his wonderful night, and she thinks he's come down with a brain tumor. Each night, Gil goes to the same spot at midnight and picks up a ride in this mystery car. He goes on to meet Dali, Picasso, T.S. Eliot, and Toulouse-Latrec. He also starts to fall in love with one of Picasso's muses (Cotillard).




Midnight in Paris is a fun little movie. Woody Allen has made one movie every year for the last 30+ years. Not many people will say that any of his newer movies are as iconic as his classics like Annie Hall, Manhattan, or Hannah and Her Sisters. Owen Wilson is wonderful to watch. I think he's better than he has been in awhile. He plays the role very truthfully. He's not over-the-top like he sometimes falls back on. His reactions to meeting this historical figures are quite funny. Unfortunately, Rachel Adams seems a little off at times. She's not bad, but she isn't as strong as usual. Kathy Bates and Marion Cotillard turn in terrific supporting roles as well. No surprise there.

Rating: *** 1/2 (3.5 out of 5 stars)

Woody Allen Highlights
The '70s
Sleeper
Annie Hall
Manhattan

The '80s
The Purple Rose of Cairo
Hannah and Her Sisters
Crimes and Misdemeanors

The '90s
Bullets Over Broadway
Mighty Aphrodite
Deconstructing Harry

The '00s
Match Point
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

The '10s
Midnight in Paris

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