Midnight in Paris

City of Lights Shines Brightly
Midnight in Paris, PG-13, *****, Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Carla Bruni, Marion Cotillard. Sony Classics film. Director and writer Woody Allen. 94 minutes.

“Midnight in Paris” is an excellent film filled with surprises. Director Woody Allen wrote this creative script bringing comedy, drama, tragedy, and an original story to life. It is all of these along with a romance filled with astonishment.
As the film opens, the audience views the beauty of Paris in the daytime, and at night. It is one of the best films so far this year. The story is filled with romance, life, and a glimpse of past lives of writers and artists of all kinds.
English majors and literature enthusiasts should go directly to the nearest theater showing “Midnight in Paris.” “Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.00, but prepare for an entertaining, creative, and totally original film.
Gil (Owen Wilson) is a successful script writer in Hollywood. However, he really wants to write a novel. His fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), along with her rich parents are visiting Paris. Inez wants to shop for expensive items with her mother. Gil is charmed by Paris with all of its romance and historical ability to stimulate creativity in artists as it did with so many individuals who traveled there to write, create, and become original individuals within various venues. While Inez goes partying with some friends, Gil decides to walk around Paris for inspiration. He has written a fictional manuscript, but has not allowed anyone to read it. Believing that walking the streets at night and perhaps visiting old hangouts of artists of the past, he will find inspiration.
Little events can be creative and fun. I have always enjoyed walking in the rain as does Gil. This little exercise of getting pleasure from the rain has an interesting story. Remember it works better with two.
His wife does not like the rain at all. The rain walking has a conclusion that will fit perfectly with romantics and those of us who enjoy the little things in life that are simple, fun, and inspirational.
While Gil is sitting on steps in the city, a car stops and the individuals inside invite him to go with them. He reluctantly gets in the car and is taken to a party. There he meets some very unusual people such as Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda along with Ernest Hemmingway and other artists who are enjoying Jazz, drinking, and talking about life.
The individuals he meets and speaks with in this time period are just beginning their long and successful careers. He has returned to the 1920’s right in the middle of the Jazz Age.
When he steps out of the establishment, he is back in the world of today. Trying to explain this to his wife is - shall we say somewhat difficult.
Each night Gil decides he must go back and mingle with Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, T.S. Eliot, Luis Bunel , and so many others while listening to the music of Cole Porter. All of the characters bring comedy and enrichment to the conversations taking place. Sometimes it is a little awkward, because Gil mentions things from the future which does not connect since they have not happened yet.
Do not allow this unusual film keep the reader away from the excellent entertainment waiting for the viewers. If the reader has any interest at all in writers, artists, directors, etc., do not miss this film. It is a story about life and what we should do with our time here on earth.
“Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.” I plan to view this film again. The creativity, story, and overall look into the past to find meaning gives this film high ratings.
Obviously, nostalgia plays a key role in “Midnight in Paris.” It is important to learn from the past in order to create a better future.