FILM: MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011)

There’s nothing else quite like a good Woody Allen movie

By: John C. Lyons

Directed by:Woody Allen

Written by: Woody Allen

Starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen

Our Rating: 8.5/10

I walked into Midnight in Paris not knowing exactly what to expect.  I was happily surprised to see our local theater showing a Woody Allen movie at all and that was enough to get my ass in a seat.  The trailer for the film (watch below) provides just enough of a tease without giving away any of the interesting and hilarious directions the story travels and I won’t spoil them here either.  But fans of the filmmaker should take note: this is one of the good ones.  The script is tight and the performances are top-notch.

Owen Wilson (Gil) plays a writer in love with a city.  More specifically a man in love with the illusions of the past.  A dreamer.  Rachel McAdams (Inez) plays his fiancée.  She tolerates his romantic fantasies, but doesn’t share in them.  We get the feeling she doesn’t take Gil too seriously, but she sure enjoys listening to her book-smart friend Paul (Sheen) share his knowledge with the group.  He’s one of those experts on everything.  Inez would be happy living in an upper-class suburb like her parents.  Gil wants to live in Paris like his literary idols.  This is all setup for the meat of the movie.  The discoveries Gil makes as he walks in Paris at night.

I highly recommend the film to anyone looking for a different kind of romantic comedy and those who have a good knowledge of past artists. Midnight in Paris is a rewarding night at the theater.

I saw this film at Cinemark’s Tinseltown 17 Theatres on Peach Street in Erie, PA. Click for showtimes.

Related links: Midnight in Paris – official site

MPAA rating: Rated PG13 for some sexual references and smoking

Length: 100 minutes