Midnight in Paris (2011)

I may have opinions on Woody Allen's moral code, but I will never deny the brilliance of his movies.  I don't think I could come up with one that I haven't liked.  I've not seen all of his older movies, but would, with much enthusiasm, recommend Match Point, Cassandra's Dream, and Vicky Christina Barcelona.  This stuff is as good as it gets.  So I didn't have any qualms about renting "Midnight in Paris".  I knew it had charming references to the art and literary world.  I love Rachel McAdams.  And it was nominated for an Oscar!  Lots going for it.


Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) is a successful screenwriter but aspiring to write a novel.  He is a goofy, romantic dreamer that asks the unlikely, guileless question and is quick to spin a fantasy.  He is vacationing in Paris with his materialistic fiancé Inez and his future in-laws, and is a little restless.  He is in love with the city, and wants to move there, but isn't interested in following around Inez's pretentious friends, touring the typical Parisian attractions.

Gil and Inez

One night, while Inez and her friends go out dancing, Gil wanders the streets, and upon the strike of midnight, is lured into an old Peugeot taxi who is also transporting F. Scott Fitzgerald and his beloved Zelda.  Gil connects the dots and determines that he has been transported back to the 1920's, his era of choice.  He returns to this spot at midnight again and again over his vacation, and gets drawn into the art and literary society of the times, rubbing elbows with not only Fitzgerald, but Hemingway, T.S. Eliot, Cole Porter, Josephine Baker, Gertrude Stein, Dali, Picasso and more.  But his world stops when he meets the beautiful Adriana (Marion Cotillard).  He begins to wonder about his life's path and the woman he has promised to marry.

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda

I'm a little taken aback and confused that this movie was nominated for an Oscar.  It was charming and fanciful, but I'm not sure why it was ever considered to be worthy of a statue.  However, I did really like this movie.  It made my heart warm.  I think I might even need to watch it again.  Maybe THAT is the reason why is was nominated.  Hell, what do I know.

I did feel that Owen Wilson was perfectly cast.  He has always had that bumbling way about him, no matter what part he plays.  His mannerisms actually reminded me of a younger Woody.  And despite the fact that I love Rachel McAdams, she was loathsome in this film.  Narcissistic and self-absorbed, dismissive, and completely obnoxious, I was really hoping and praying that Gil would give her the boot.  It is a real testament to her acting skills that I hated her.   

Hemingway

I believe the real joy in this movie lies in its deference for the arts.  Anyone who loves the classic authors, musicians or artists will most likely feel themselves get all wistful and enchanted when these greats come alive on-screen, all in one place.  It was a literary delight for me personally, in the perfect setting of Paris.  I sat there with a silly grin on my face for the entire movie. 

So Oscar material?  Not really.  A romantic feast of all things cultural in the Jazz Age?  Absolutely.