Midnight in Paris (Woody Allen, 2011): Spain/USA

Reviewed by Brittany Carr . Viewed at the Isla Vista Theater in 2011.

Midnight in Paris was a cute and eclectic movie that had my attention at the title. I viewed the movie in the very small Isla Vista theater, at the free UCSB student screening with my roommates. They tempted the audience with brie cheese and croissants for the movie, but when I arrived, I missed all the little treats.

When the film started I knew right away I was going to love this film. Owen Wilson, (who I’ve never been a very big fan of) was the main character of the film, he is in Paris with his fiance (Rachel McAdams) and her parents. Gil is an ex screen writer for Hollywood, and wants to write his own novel, but seems to be lacking motivation, and his fiance’s negativity to the idea is constantly lowering his self esteem. The story start off with them wandering the streets of Paris going to various shops and eating at very nice restaurants. On this particular night, the four of them (the first characters introduced) attended a wine tasting event over looking Paris, and Wilson’s character-Gil-just wants to wander Paris at night. Gil is obsessed with Paris in the 20’s, and always seems to be dwelling on the past. So after a night of drinking wine, they leave and Inez (Rachel McAdams) wants to go out dancing with friends. Gil declines in his intoxicated state and decides to walk back to the hotel. Here is where everything changes.Gil stumbles upon a small square, and at midnight a taxi cab from the 20’s rolls up to Gil with party goers inside.

The areas of Paris where they shot the movie was mostly lit with natural lighting from the street lights, giving it a real city feel. The costumes used in the movie were neutral colors for the main characters, and close to period costumes for the 1920’s characters. Gil-via 1920’s taxi cab- travels back in time every night at midnight, to meet his literary idols who are finding their inspiration in Paris. Over the course of the film, he is constantly reminded how much he dislikes his fiance’s view of things, how she says negative things, and he sees this with the help of Hemingway and Fitzgerald, who become his friends during the midnight hours.

Without giving anything away, he meets a wide range of people who influenced the 1920’s, and he learns a little more about himself along the way. I was completely surprised when I saw that it was written by Woody Allen! But there is way to much to cover in one film review, but here is a little taste of the story for now.

I loved the old vintage looking costumes, and how well they played with the locations and the best and classical music woven through the film. It’s a treasure and I can’t wait to buy it!

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Published:
01.03.12 / 6pm
Category:
Films