Midnight in Paris

For nostalgic types we all have a favorite era. A film buff may fantasize about the golden age of Hollywood, a musician may pine for Vienna in the time of the Beethoven or Mozart, and in Midnight in Paris, first time novelist Gil (Owen Wilson) is enamored of 1920’s France. This was the time of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein. The literary scene was exploding, artists were changing the world, and intellectuals were shaking up politics. Picasso and Dali did it with paintbrushes, Cole Porter did it with song, and Bunuel did it with film. But the writer’s did it best. It was heady time and Paris was the center of it all. For Gil, this city was magic.
 
Back home Gil is a successful motion picture writer. He has come to Paris with his fiancé (Rachel McAdams) and her parents John and Helen (Kurt Fuller and Mimi Kennedy). John is a rich conservative businessman and he is there for an international merger. They thought this would be the perfect opportunity for a little pre-wedding vacation and a chance to buy furnishings for their daughter’s soon to be new home. But Gil isn’t so sure. His fiancé Inez wants them living in Malibu with all the trappings of the Hollywood elite. But Gil has other ideas. He once had a chance to live in Paris and has always regretted his decision not to do so. Now that he’s taken off time to write a novel, why not stay here? He could write his book and spend time in the city of his dreams.
 
One night during dinner they run into Paul and his doting wife Carol. Inez invites them to join their table. Paul (Michael Sheen) is a professor that Inez had the biggest crush on in college. They have all kinds of plans for dancing, museums and trips to the country and since Paul likes to have an audience he insists that they come along too. But after spending one day with Paul Gil looks for any excuse to get out. In the name of fresh air he wanders about the streets of Paris and gets seriously drunk and completely lost. As he sits on some steps trying to decide what to do next the church bells toll midnight, Just then an exquisite antique car drives by and the beautiful couple inside offer him a ride. The occupants are Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald.
 
Midnight in Paris is a magical film full of warmth, humor, whimsy and fun. It is less cynical than Woody Allen’s more recent films and Owen Wilson does a tremendous job as the Woody Allen alter ego. He easily captures the pessimistic nature of Woody but still brings a pensive, sweet, reflective quality that’s all his own. I absolutely loved him in this role, especially the boyish glee he displayed when he got to meet his favorite literary idols.
 
In addition to the aforementioned cast Midnight in Paris is full of wonderful supporting roles. I don’t want to give too much away but some of these parts are delightful. As a fan of Adrien Brody I was thrilled to see him in the film and Kathy Bates as well. Marion Cotillard is also wonderful as a woman with many admirers.
 
Watching Midnight in Paris I was transfixed from beginning to end. I found the movie funny, romantic, and I learned something as well. But mostly I just had fun. As Owen Wilson’s Gil says in the film, “Somebody should notify the chamber of commerce.” If you’ve never been to Paris before you’ll definitely want to go now. I can see why Woody loves it there. With this film they should make him ambassador.

Rating: First Run A love letter to Paris