Initially, I was skeptical. A romantic comedy starring Rachel McAdams? With a name as trite as Midnight in Paris? But then again, it’s Woody Allen, and I couldn’t find a single bad review. So, I reluctantly bought a ticket, expecting the worst, but hoping to be surprised.
Surprised I was. This movie blew me away. It’s a wonderful little story about a writer named Gil (Owen Wilson) who visits Paris with his fiancee (Rachel McAdams), and finds himself transported to the 1920’s. Gil is what you would call “a man of a different era”; he has built up a mental schema of “Old Paris” as being the golden age of literature, film, and music.
This is where opinion of the film diverge. Some viewers complain that the film is shallow and lacks an important point. I disagree. The film is an excellent commentary on the effects of nostalgia on society today, and is simply a delightfully told little story.
The acting in this film is fantastic. Gil is a perfectly empathetic endearing character, and Wilson’s acting really helps the viewer relate to his struggle to be satisfied with life in modern times. McAdams plays an excellent antagonist, as she constantly belittles Gil and fascination with 1920’s Paris. Certain bit characters aren’t portrayed as well as they could be (Gertrude Stein has a certain cringe-inducing delivery), but it’s balanced out by the portrayals of Hemingway and Fitzgerald.
Acting: A
Supporting Acting: B+
Storyline: B+
Overall A-
