Midnight In Paris (2011)
Directed & Written by Woody Allen
Starring:
Kathy Bates
Adrien Brody
Carla Bruni
Marion Cotillard
Kurt Fuller
Rachel McAdams
Michael Sheen
Owen Wilson
Running time: 94 minutes
Plot Synopsis: (via Wikipedia)
Set in Paris, the film follows Gil Pender, a screenwriter, who is forced to confront the shortcomings of his relationship with his materialistic fiancée and their divergent goals, which become increasingly exaggerated as he travels back in time each night at midnight.
My Opinion:
This has nothing whatsoever to do with Midnight In Paris but I just have to say this: I think I deserve a payrise for getting the word “Xenomorph” into my company’s newsletter last week.
Now, onto Midnight In Paris: a movie I watched months ago but never reviewed because I don’t really have much to say about it. But, shit – apparently a lot of you like it as it’s in third place in that poll of movies you want me to review. So, damn, I better stay true to my word! 🙂
Here’s my big, embarrassing movie blogger confession: I’ve never watched a Woody Allen film. NONE! So Midnight In Paris was my first & only. Tell me, Woody Allen fans – was this the place to start? I assume not. But, I dunno… I really liked the sound of it plus I’m a big fan of Van Gogh so I was a sucker for that poster up there. ^ I am NOT, however, a fan of Owen Wilson. Probably because he’s been in too many of those annoying Wes Anderson movies. Plus, I’ve always hated his voice. And, you know, that nose. I’m sounding bitchy now but I’m just trying to point out how much I do NOT like Owen Wilson so that you know this may have had an effect on my enjoyment of my first Woody Allen movie. However, it’s definitely a good film & I can understand why some people really like it. It needs to be your type of “thing”, though.
With this movie, as with Wilson’s character, it really comes alive when it’s in the past. These scenes are so much better than those set in present day with Wilson’s absolute bitch of a fiancée (Rachel McAdams). But that’s the whole point – a viewer may very well end up loving 1920’s Paris just as much as Wilson’s character does. I may not be able to fully relate to a love of 1920’s Paris but I can relate to feeling nostalgic about a certain time. I hate 2015! The world is shit now. I’d probably go back to the 1970s/early 80s. Hmm… I suppose that’s a little unoriginal. I’d probably be happy in any time that’s before the Internet but after indoor plumbing! Oh, and after women stopped being treated like shit. Wait… we’re still treated like shit! Oh cool – I think I’ve written enough now. I can finish this horrible first-ever Woody Allen review I’m making a mess of! 🙂
Summary:
Midnight In Paris is a good film and I would assume those who love Woody Allen films loved this one too (not that I can compare it to another film of his since I’ve not seen any). I’m probably not cultured enough to have fully appreciated all the famous historical figures Wilson’s character meets in the past but I did find this a very fun part of the story as I actually didn’t know beforehand that anyone “special” was going to be in this. I also didn’t mind the romance in this although I’m not the type to usually go for that. Oh yeah! And my favorite “hey, it’s that guy!” guy was in this (Kurt Fuller – never thought to look up his name before now). I can’t say Midnight In Paris is a movie I fell in love with or that I’ll ever watch it again, though. I liked the originality & it was entertaining but I know I probably should have watched an older Woody Allen film first.
My Rating: 6.5/10
Cinema Parrot Disco 
I’d agree. Getting “…the word “Xenomorph” into my company’s newsletter last week” is deserving. Saw ALIENS once more over the weekend so your top image made me smile. 🙂
Oh, I still haven’t seen this, but should.
Even though it doesn’t sound like it from my review, I’d still recommend this movie. Especially if you like Woody Allen. It’s NO Aliens, though! Lol. 😉 I’m obsessed with that movie. I’d definitely bring that one to a desert island.
Yeah, I am not a Woody Allen fan, but this doesn’t sound too terrible, though also not all that fantastic.
Lol! I love my “meh” reviews that convince absolutely no one to watch anything. 😉 This really isn’t bad. Just, you know, not for everyone. 🙂
lol
Do you work for Weyland-Yutani? If so you don’t deserve a payrise
Bwahaha! Good one, Mike. 😉
Xenomorph… NICE!! I wasn’t a huge fan of this movie. Woody Allen is pretty hit or miss for me. I really like Match Point. I’d recommend that one. Great review though! I feel like we have similar thoughts on travelling to a different time period, haha!
Thanks! 🙂 Yeah… I’d love to leave 2015! Hmm. I think I actually have Match Point on DVD. I should check it out!
Fair enough – I can see how not being an Owen Wilson fan would impede enjoyment here, he’s one of the reasons I quite liked it (as a Wilson fan!).
Rachel McAdams was genuinely UN-likeable here, she did a good job with a really unappealing character. Oh and the know-it-all guy, good job by the actor, couldn’t stand him!
McAdams & know-it-all guy WERE great since I really really hated them both! I don’t THINK Wilson being in it really ruined it for me overall. 🙂
I’ve never seen a Woody Allen film either. I hear Annie is good but Diane Keaton truly annoys me.
I don’t know – I don’t think I have much of an opinion of her one way or another. But her pantsuits kind of annoy me!
Your pantsuits look great, though.
Thank you! I do Buns of Steel. 😉
I’m really surprised. I love it. It’s so beautifully filmed and I don’t think Wilson is over the top in it. I just love the idea that we long for a golden age of the past but they were longing for a different age. We need to appreciate the age we are in. I thought the music was great and a lot of lovely side performances- Adrian Brody as Dali, Cory Stoll as Hemmingway was hilarious, Cathy Bates as Gertrude Stein is just as I imagine her to be. I also thought Michael Sheen as this pedantic know it all was perfect.
I guess if this isn’t your cup of tea try a more serious Woody Allen like Blue Jasmine. You really aught to see Annie Hall though. I’m surprised given you are a blogger that you pine for preinternet eras so much. Since I am a telecommuter my whole lifestyle is dependent on the internet.
Oh well, on to the next one. Always fun to hear an alternative point of view.
Yeah… It IS a very good film. I really wanted to like it a little more than I did! I did still like it, though. The historical figures were the best thing about it. 🙂 lol – I know! I love my blog & tweet like a maniac but, I don’t know… I actually hate the Internet! Which makes no sense, I suppose. 😉 I just miss the happier days in the 80s before it was around. I have to watch at least a couple of Woody Allen films for my IMDB Top 250 thing (I think Manhattan & Annie Hall?) so I’ll see it eventually. 🙂
True in rereading your review you are actually more positive than came out in my first read through.
I actually do know what you mean about the happier days in the 80s. I was thinking about that especially with backlash. I feel like we used to be able to enjoy things longer. Like I loved Little Mermaid as a girl. I watched it again and again. I knew all the songs and nobody seemed to care. Now I see the way even little girls are criticized for liking Frozen it makes me sad. A little girl should be able to like what she wants. My sister was telling me my niece was being derided at school for liking Frozen and she’s in kindergarten. The negativity that seems to always come against popular films bums me out and it permeates down to little kids being negative too. I’m also so over the angry critic shtick. It’s just not funny any more. Let’s be critical and discuss film intelligently but I wish sometimes I could go back to that little girl who unabashedly loved Little Mermaid and didnt know anyone felt differently. 🙂
Anyway sorry off soapbox…
Lol! That’s okay – I liked that soapbox rant. I agree with all that. 🙂 That’s funny – my kid and all her friends LOVE Frozen – I think her friends would be outcasts if they didn’t! Perhaps they’ll get snobbier in a couple years. I hate snobby critics! I’ve pretty much stopped reading all professional reviews. I prefer to know what fellow bloggers think of movies and I’m happy to love mainstream stuff just as much as some of the more artsy stuff. And I still love the movies I loved when I was younger. Hell, I gave Adventures In Babysitting a 9/10 rating when I reviewed it. Lol. Oh! And, yes – I kind of like the look of Blue Jasmine. Will watch it someday. 🙂
But yeah Blue Jasmine you should see. It’s really different than his comedies and Blanchett is so good
yea, i didnt love this one, but also didnt hate it. Im not the biggest woody fan eventhough I think Annie Hall is hilarious and (almost) as good as When harry Met Sally when it comes to relationship movies
Nothing is as good as When Harry Met Sally!!!!! 😉 I’ll check out Annie Hall sometime. 🙂
i said almost…. 🙂
Great review! I really loved this movie way too much.
Thanks! I really really did want to like it more. But I can understand why some love it so much… 🙂
Honesty is always the best policy Mutey!!! That’s why I follow you!!! 🙂 🙂
And while we’re being honest, I stuck this one into my Xbox awhile ago and couldn’t stand the first ten or so minutes of it and promptly sent it back to Netflix haha! But people have been waxing poetic about this so I need to give it a second chance.
Thank you, Tom! I’m always honest. Even though I know it usually makes me look stupid. 😉 lol – I can see not liking those artsy fartsy first ten minutes but then they do actually start to get into the story. If you can make it through the first half, the second half is much better. 🙂
I think Woody Allen is one of those directors people either love to the moon and back or totally hate, kinda like Wes Anderson. I personally LOVE him and most of his movies, not all of them but most. These are the ones I would recommend, Annie Hall, Hannah and her Sisters, The Purple Rose of Cairo (My fave), Vicky Christina Barcelona. But Midnight is one of my faves from him. I like the aspect of seeing authors and artists from the past. Ok I think you should try another one of his movies and see how you feel. 🙂
Hmm. I finally found a Woody Allen fan! I figured more people would be shocked that I’ve never seen one. I’ll watch Annie Hall for sure at some point then see if I want to check out others. I’m pretty damn sure I’ll like him more than Wes Anderson! 😉
Xenomorph, eh? Well get you!
I’m totally with you on Wilson. I find him very annoying, and I hate to admit that part of that is just because I don’t like his face. Mostly though, it has to be his voice. Urgh!
I’m no Woody Allen expert and haven’t seen any of the classics like Annie Hall or Hannah and Her Sisters. I did like Mighty Aphrodite and Everyone Says I Love You. Wasn’t mad keen on Blue Jasmine. I don’t think I’ve seen any others. And honestly not sure I can be bothered.
Yeah… His NOSE…… AND voice! 😉 I have to admit I’m not overly bothered about rushing to see any more Woody Allen films but I’ll check out the classics just to pretend I’m all cultured & shit, I guess! 🙂
His voice is THE WORST!
You’re SO cultured and shit : )
I’m a classy fucking gal. 🙂
You knows it!
I’d hoped you would watch this one! Not because it’s one of my faves though. I’ve never actually seen it, but I’ve been very curious about it. Sounds meh. I do love hearing about all those ’20s writers though, do I might enjoy it a little more. Nice work!! Also, A+ on the xenomorph thing. I would very much like to know how you pulled that off…
I think you’d probably appreciate this one much more than I did, Cara. 🙂 All the old authors & artists were quite cool – the scenes set in the past were fun. I’m not classy enough & don’t read enough classics to have fully appreciated all that, I think. Maybe give this one a try sometime. 🙂
Noted! And I still think you’re a very classy broad. 😉
Fucking classy! 🙂
Great review! I haven’t seen this yet, but Natasha loved it and said I should really give it a try, it isn’t a sick-to-the-stomach love story or anything. So I will try it at some stage though, but pity to hear you didn’t like it more!
Well, it IS good. I can see why others love it even if it wasn’t totally my cup of tea. You may love it! No, the romance isn’t an annoying “sick to the stomach” type. 🙂
1 million percent BARF!
Lol. But I was going to recommend this one to you… 😉
There is nothing I hate more than a Woody Allen movie and I’ve never even seen one….
Bwahaha! This comment is actually pretty damn hilarious. 🙂
: )
#wanker
Pingback: My Top Ten Wooden Movie Actors/Characters | Cinema Parrot Disco
Pingback: Watched, Read, Reviewed: March 2021 | Cinema Parrot Disco