Midnight in Paris
Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen, Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams
Details: US / 94 mins (12A)
Wilson is a neurotic, successful Hollywood scriptwriter vacationing in Paris with his snobby, immensely unlikeable fiancé (a wasted McAdams) and her anal, conservative parents. When he takes a walk one night after a drink too many, he is transported back to Paris in the 20's, when the likes of Ernest Hemmingway, Cole Porter, Pablo Picasso and F. Scott Fitzgerald hung out, talking about their respective crafts.
The plot device used to actually get Wilson's character back to 1920s Paris is hokey at best; a car turns up (that's not even a Delorean), and brings him about so he can have conversations with long dead seminal artistic types. It's Allen indulging himself, but as ever, he does so with charm, and a genuine love of the location where he is filming. Paris has never looked so beautiful and it's obvious how much this city means to the New Yorker.
Wilson's style of rambling, awkward delivery sits well with Allen's rapid-fire dialogue and ponderous witticisms. He hasn't been in a good film in a while, and he heads up an exceptional cast - not all of whom are utilised as well as they could be. McAdams is a wonderfully funny, gorgeous and talented actress who is filling a nothing role here, and obviously just signed on to work with Allen. Michael Sheen, Carla Bruni and Kathy Bates all make fleeting appearances, but it's Corey Stoll's deadpan Hemmingway who impresses most.
Typically indulgent, but cultural intellectuals will have a field day spotting their heroes and Allen fans will love it.
Review by Mike Sheridan
Your Comments
Gavin
I really wish you didn't reveal the time travel aspect in your review! The marketing of this film has been terrific in that it has completely hidden the entire premise of the movie, yet still made it seem appealing enough to go see (in my opinion). That is an incredibly rare thing these days. In fact, it doesn't exist! The sheer joy I experienced through that surprise made it one of my favourite movies of the year.
Posted 03/10/2011 19:05:29
KickedArse
How are you supposed to review this film without doing that? It'd be nigh on impossible
Posted 03/10/2011 19:14:49
Gavin
Many have managed to avoid it well, see Rober Eberts' for a particularly good example.
Posted 04/10/2011 00:32:38
Gavin
Edit: Roger Eberts review has since been edited to now include spoilers, but his initial Cannes write up was equally satisfactory and informative. First Showing and Paste magazine are two of the better reviews I've read which manage to remain spoiler free.
Posted 04/10/2011 00:58:13
Rusty
Leaving out the time-travel aspect of the film may result in a nice surprise for those people who have avoided the other 99% of reviews that also mention the time travel device & subsequently enjoy it, but for others it may well prove irritating - this review gives a good idea of what the film is & portrays both its charm & appeal while allowing those who might be put off by the intellectual gimmick to make up their own minds about it. Also, avoiding mentioning it would mean not mentioning why Corey Stoll is so good & also pointing out the obvious flaws, which again are important to not for people who mightn't find the film as enchanting as you did. I really loved this film & I knew about the time travel in advance - I didn't feel that this detracted from my experience at all or that this review spoiled anything - the time travel happens soon into the film & (importantly) isn't a twist, it's a plot device, so completely understand the need to address it.
Posted 04/10/2011 03:05:08
Bryce
Can't wait to see this. Several decent movies now in a row for the industry - wow!
Posted 04/10/2011 08:28:46
Laura678
I saw "Midnight in Paris" in Paris in May and I have been waiting so so patiently for it to hit Irish screens! It truly is one of the best and most beautiful movies that I have seen in a long time. Perhaps that face that I saw it in Paris adds to the magic! I can't wait for Friday to see it again!
Posted 05/10/2011 00:59:04
FilmBuff76
Every now and then, Woody Allen tends to make what I call a 'confection film' - sweet, light, frothy and either enjoyable / irritating depending on your point of view. The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion was a prime example of an irritating confection film. Thankfully, his new film Midnight In Paris is enjoyable if not entirely up to the high standards of his best work like Annie Hall. Like Groundhog Day, the mechanics of how the main character is whisked away into another time (Paris in the 1920s) are not elaborated on. Instead, Woody just asks us to go with the flow and enjoy the artistic celebrity spotting (look, there's Salvador Dali!). It's pure Woody Allen, so it's best to leave the cynicism behind and enjoy this romantic love letter to the City Of Lights.
Posted 08/10/2011 00:29:45
Annabella
While I enjoyed this film, Paris looked wonderful and romantic, and Owen Wilson is excellent, it is only me or did anyone else find the characters from the past unbelievable and absurd to the point of instead of taking them seriously, they were laughable.
Posted 12/10/2011 15:41:46
LMRKMAN
This is a quirky and original movie from Woodie Allen. There's plenty of good humour too. A bit of escape'ism that's worth seeing. If you liked Vicky Christina Barcelona you'll likely enjoy this also.
Posted 14/10/2011 10:03:26
Fozz
Enjoyable light fare from Allen. Wilson is his usual self so you'll either like him or hate him but for me he was very good, as were those around him.
Posted 14/10/2011 23:52:11
Gemma
What? This movie was complete rubbish. It was at times confusing and seemed to drag on. It felt way longer than 94mins
Posted 02/11/2011 20:09:22
theotherguy
So light and inconsequential you might actually forget you've been to the cinema.
Posted 13/11/2011 14:42:24
ellegibbons
Personally I was bored! Im not a fan of Owen Wilson, and just didnt see the point in this movie, but thats just my opinion, wait till dvd if you must!
Posted 05/12/2011 10:43:30
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Your Reviews...
Not enough to keep me interested - mart1n
I can see how people would love this movie, but i wasn't a fan. It does show Paris as being a place I've never wanted... MORE01/12/2011 14:29:50A piece of Parisian nostalgia - paula galvin
It is obvious that Woody Allen is in love with Paris,"Paris in the rain""Fin du siecle Paris""Paris in the twenties" so... MORE23/10/2011 17:55:57