"Midnight in Paris" is, hands down, one of the BEST movies I have EVER seen.
Dr. J and I saw it a few weeks ago, and the next day I was at Walmart buying the blueray DVD. (I was shocked they even had it in stock) We have seen in several times, and will be watching it many more times, I am sure.
At the very least, I knew that the movie would be "pretty." It's filmed in Paris, for goodness' sake, so that is a given.But the plot was really creative and made you fall in love with the city, past and present.
Owen Wilson (Gil), is a writer, who goes to Paris with his fiance, Inez (Rachel McAdams), for a few days with her parents. Gil is obsessed with the Golden Age of Paris and tends to have a nostalgic view of life.
He is searching for inspiration for his novel (without much support from the fiance) and one night, goes on a midnight walk alone...... and discovers a Paris that, today, we never thought was possible....
Now, to be perfectly honest, if you have NO clue who Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Cole Porter, Ella and Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Edgar Degas and T.S. Eliot are, then you probably will not "get" this movie. At all.It will be pretty to watch, but some of the dialogue will seem like an inside joke or story in which you do not have "insider status" to enjoy.
Now, I am not some literary snob, but I've read tons of books and studied many of these people in school, so I found myself in book/art nerd heaven, just like Gil.
But at the very least, you need to know who these folks are. Because the very fact that Gil is hanging out with them is amazing!!!
And after you watch the movie, do some research about your favorite characters, maybe you will discover a new love for reading or for art..... (I looked up some of the characters that I wasn't entirely familiar with, and found myself learning many new things!)
Woody Allen directed this film, and his love affair with Paris is so very evident.So, if you love Paris, or you just want to watch a movie with Owen Wilson, where he isn't crashing a wedding or riding down the catwalk on a razor scooter, then watch "Midnight in Paris"!!! Now!!!
On a side note:
1. The soundtrack is FABULOUS!!!
2. And, did any of you who have seen the movie notice the cameo by a certain very beautiful First Lady??? (look at the above picture) =)
3. And, furthermore, I want to go back to Paris for my honeymoon. (of course!!)
2 comments:
I just finished reading The Paris Wife, and am very intrigued by Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Stein and all of the other artists in Paris at that time. I loved Fitzgerald and Hemingway in school, and had forgotten how much until now. I will have to watch this movie! Thanks for the recommendation!
I just finished reading The Paris Wife, and am very intrigued by Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Stein and all of the other artists in Paris at that time. I loved Fitzgerald and Hemingway in school, and had forgotten how much until now. I will have to watch this movie! Thanks for the recommendation!
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