Midnight in Paris - A Movie Review

If I told you that I traveled back in time overnight, what would you say?

Released to theaters in 2011, Midnight in Paris is about a struggling writer on a trip to Paris with his demanding fiancee and her parents. One evening during his nightly walk, Gil mysteriously travels back in time meeting actual writers from the 20s.

For all you writers and book lovers out there, Midnight in Paris is the movie for you. From the very moment it starts, the film delights audiences with stunning locations of Paris. The best part about this film is that it doesn’t have to make sense. It’s a fun fantasy that takes you back into the era of the roaring 20s.

Owen Wilson’s portrayal as Gil is a contrasting role from what he normally plays. Wilson does a commendable job. Gil is an open-minded struggling writer who discovers a way of time travel that even he can’t describe. He thrives to live his best life, but he is constantly belittled by his fiancee. Wilson’s interactions are excellent and I enjoy his growth over the course of the story.

Fans of the film Mean Girls are in for a delightful surprise. Rachel McAdams hit the mark, creating an unpleasant person who criticizes Gil at any chance she gets. Inez does not enjoy the simple things in life, nor is she open-minded. The film does not shy away from showing how uninterested she is in the little things of life.

Who wouldn’t want to meet famous writers like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Stein and Picasso thrown into the mix? That’s right, Gil travels back to the 20s via an old fashioned taxi having the time of his life. Tom Hiddleston, Kathy Bates, Corey Stoll, Alison Pill, Marcial Di Fonzo Bo, and Marion Cotillard were terrific as famous authors of the 20s. Corey Stoll was a standout as Earnest Hemingway.

All these performances deserve a standing ovation for portrayals of famous people in their time. I could tell that everyone was having fun in this picture dancing the Charleston or complimenting one another about their works.

Woody Allen mastered a beautiful film that indulges in an unforgettable adventure. I have watched some of Allen’s pictures and I understand that he doesn’t rehearse prior to shooting his scenes. I liked the way in which he directed the film, especially the camera angles that panned the locations or to each character so smoothly.

Speaking of which, the cinematography is a character of its own. Allen made sure to dedicate some scenes to eye-catching shots of locations of Paris. Bridges that lit up in the night, restaurants, and the glorious streets. Traveling is important. Open your mind and explore.

Is this real? That’s not important. The style of the film is unique. What matters is that Midnight in Paris has fun being what it is. It is a refreshing angle and in no way does it over feel corny. The tone felt so simple and yet it is a story that is hard to believe.

On my third watch of this film, the message about writing spoke to me. Writing has been my greatest passion for over a decade now. We need time to write. Don’t ever fear that your story is not good enough. Life is all about finding our direction. Step away from the life that is making you unhappy to explore a world that appeals to your nature.

I really wish I saw this movie when it was in theaters when it was out. I greatly recommend that you watch Midnight in Paris. Writers and artists will fall in love with it.