A return to form by Woody Allen after a generally lacklustre decade or so, Midnight in Paris is an intelligent, entertaining 90 minutes as nostalgic writer Gil Pender (Owen Wilson – Hall Pass, The Grand Budapest Hotel) experiences a very different Paris to those he travelled with.
Disillusioned and disatisfied, the Hollywood screenwriter travels to Paris with his fiancé Inez (Rachel McAdams – Mean Girls, Spotlight) and her wealthy parents. Harking to the bygone days of the French city in the 1920s, a late night walk sees Gil find himself in the company of Dali, Gertrude Stein, Hemingway, Bunuel, Cole Porter and the Scott Fitzgeralds. Travelling between the two time periods, spending time with Adriana (Marion Cotillard – La vie en rose, Inception), the American gradually becomes aware of himself and his desires.
A star-studded cast inveigle their sense of fun in playing the iconic cultural characters of the early twentieth century, thus ensuring Midnight in Paris avoids overt intellectual posturing and self-aggrandisement (with the exception of the splendidly and annoyingly pompous Martin Sheen). Instead, Allen’s film is full of insightful whimsy and a great deal of fun.
Nominated for 4 Oscars in 2012 including best film, director, art direction, won 1 for best original screenplay.
Rating: 74%
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