While I was watching Midnight in Paris, an old friend was constantly on my mind. She was a huge fan of Paris. This Woody Allen film was like a tribute to France's influence on the artistic world. It is an enjoyable, quirky, contrived film that celebrates Paris. I am not much of a Woody Allen fan. While I found myself laughing a few times, I never really guffawed. Allen's wit is a bit dry and not nearly as funny as people make it out to be.
Midnight in Paris opens with a visually stimulating trip around Paris. The camera drinks in the sights of the city, sharing them in perfectly framed pictures. The film has a mild subtlety that runs in the background, while the actual story tends to be derivative and contrived. It centers on a screenplay writer (Gil, played by Owen Wilson) who detests writing screen plays. He is a novelist at heart and finds Paris to be a stimulating environment to hone his novel. He is in Paris with his fiancee, Inez (Rachel McAdams) and her parents.
While in Paris, the couple run into Inez' old flame, Paul (Michael Sheen) and his girlfriend Carol (Nina Arianda). Inez and Gil seem ill-paired with very few common interests. At least when it comes to the "big" things. So Inez gallivants around Paris with the pedantic Paul while Gil buries himself in his book. The book begins to take shape as Gil transports himself into France's rich artistic history. While trying to find his artistic voice, Gil also manages to find himself.
Woody Allen wrote and directed Midnight in Paris. His gentle hand can be seen in a variety of understated visual complements to the story. For instance, the camera pans across a pond with robust water lilies as it approaches Gil and Inez who are in a conversation. As the camera moves across the lilies, Gil is talking about Monet, famous for his paintings of the subject. Even the bridge they are standing on during the conversation has a Monet feel to it. I was able to overlook the flat characters and derivative aspects of this film in order to soak in the small treasures. However, as a story, this one falls short.
Another aspect I enjoyed with Midnight in Paris was the selection of artistic icons that influenced Gil's research. They included some of my favorites. While their characteristics were exaggerated for artistic effect, it was interesting to "meet" some of the artists who I enjoy immensely. I was delighted to see my favorite painter, Salvador Dali (Adrien Brody). He was joined by the one author from history I would also like to meet...Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll). The historic references provided some interesting opportunities for dry comedy. But my enjoyment was more in the examination of some of my own historical heroes. I was a bit disappointed at the "Butterfly Effect" created by this story, as well. There was an unresolved issue that was not creatively tied together or explained in the end.
I am not a fan of Owen Wilson. I am still not a fan. This character was sort of meek, so Wilson was a decent option. But I think it could have been cast better. On the other hand, McAdams was delightful as his self-centered fiancee. I also enjoyed Sheen as the annoyingly donnish ex-boyfriend. The cast was decent, but uneven. Some of the historical figures were exceptional, while others seemed a stretch. I recognized Brody as Dali immediately. An excellent portrayal. While I like Kathy Bates, she did not create the illusion of Gertrude Stein for me.
Midnight in Paris was rated PG-13. There is really not much to be concerned about if you are bringing younger viewers out to see this film. While they won't get much of the artistic reference, they will certainly understand the surface story. There are references to infidelity in the film along with other sexual references. Smoking and drinking are also portrayed. The language didn't seem much of a factor. The only drawback to bringing youngsters will be their attention span. I did not find anything offensive. The film has a one hour, 34 minute run time.
Midnight in Paris is one of those films that Allen fans will love and other people will find enjoyable to varying degrees. It is hard to put this one into a pigeon hole. If I evaluate this film based on the story and acting, I would not recommend it. When I factor in the subtleties, the cinematography, the nuance...I would give it a mild recommendation. If I were an Allen fan to begin with, I would probably rave about the brilliance of this film. I am not an Allen fan, but I enjoyed this movie enough to give it 7/10.
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