Midnight in Paris- Movie Review

Written and Directed by Woody Allen
Running Time: 94 minutes (1h, 34 mins.)
Rated PG-13 (for some sexual references and smoking)
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics

Woody Allen really has a knack for making his films in European countries lately. First, it was Match Point, then Cassandra's Dream, Scoop (the last film that he acted in), Vicky Cristina Barcelona and then You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger. Then again, I can't really blame him. The man's 75 years old, so of course he's gotta visit all these wonderful places. Now, his latest is Midnight in Paris. From that title alone, you can tell where this was filmed and how this movie may go.

The fantasy comedy follows Gil (Owen Wilson), a successful but distracted Hollywood screenwriter who's been trying to complete his first novel. Gil and his soon-to-be bride Inez (Rachel McAdams) are vacationing in Paris with her wealthy parents. Inez and her parents don't share the same views of Paris that he has. They don't like the French. While Gil thinks of staying in Paris and giving up his Hollywood career, Inez prefers to stay in Malibu, California. So one night, Gil decides to take a walk through the city without anyone with him and once the clock strikes midnight, Paris changes. He sees an 20's-like car appear and a bunch of people ask him to join. He does and he's taken to a party, but not just any party. It's a party filled with famous people from the 20's like composer-songwriter Cole Porter (Yves Heck) and Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald (Alison Pill and Tom Hiddleston). From there he starts to finally realize that he's been transported to the 1920's and then every night at the stroke of midnight, he goes back to that time and meets people like Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stein), Pablo Picasso (Marcial Di Fonzo Bo) and poet Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates). Gil even starts hanging out with Picasso's mistress Adriana (Marion Cotillard). Meanwhile, in the 21st century, Inez starts to wonder why he keeps doing this every night and his dad hires a French private detective in order for him to find out.

I'm a fan of Woody Allen's work, but I'll admit he's had a couple of hits and misses during the decade. I wasn't that big a fan of Match Point (not to say it's not a good movie, it is. Just not one of his best) and I didn't really enjoy Cassandra's Dream too much, despite Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor's great performances. At first, I even thought The Curse of the Jade Scorpion was his worst film, but after a few viewings, it grew on me. I would do a So Far... segment on his films, but there's so many, it's hard to really keep up. Midnight in Paris, however, is magical. It's the kind of film that really lets you escape and leaves you wanting more, even though you won't get more. When I say more, I mean a sequel. The way he begins the film is remarkable as well, with long shots of Paris from morning to night. Morning looks great, but night looks wonderful. Maybe it's because of the digital intermediate Allen used in post-production. Oh. I also like he brings back some of those long-tracking shots. It's always good when the camera stays just one place.

The script is magnificent. Like most of Allen's films, it has a lot of sharp dialogue, memorable lines and goofy, but however, believable situations. The performances stand out as well, especially Owen Wilson's. He conveys the mannerisms of Woody Allen, but never imitates it. I'll even admit he makes a better Woody Allen than Woody Allen himself. Rachel McAdams is great when it comes to playing the bitchy fiance. Her character's parents are played by Kurt Fuller and Mimi Kennedy and they're good in here as well. Kathy Bates is great too, as well as Marion Cotillard and Michael Sheen. I like Alison Pill in this film too, but I wish we could have seen more of her. She's a fun, little piece of joy in her scenes. Oh, and watch out for Adrian Brody. He's got a moustache and a French accent going on.

This is the Woodman's 41st feature film in the 45 years of his career. It's smart, energetic, charming, magical and hilarious. Not only is Midnight in Paris one of the best films of his career, it's definitely one of the best films of the year. This gets a hands-down **** (4 stars).

(Note: If you happened to miss the film in its theatrical run, don't worry. Sony Pictures Classics is bringing it back into wide release on August 26th. Probably so it can cross the $50 million mark and get some more Oscar buzz going for it. So if it's playing at your local theatre, be sure to check it out. I promise you the film is definitely worth your time.)