FILM REVIEW - Midnight In Paris
By The Masked Medic
Oh my Lord. My exams are finally over. This means I’m finally stepping up from role as part-time writer, editor and curator of “The Masked Medic” and becoming a less-than-full-time writer, editor and curator of “The Masked Medic”. Trust me, it’s a big promotion that comes with a 100% increase in my salary from £0 to a whopping £0. With this newfound responsibility, I’m aiming to bring you more reviews than ever. Starting with this one.
‘Midnight In Paris’ is the story of current screenwriter and aspiring author Gil Pender, who finds himself in Paris with his fiancée, Inez, and her parents. Gil loves everything about Paris, and thinks that all the great writers, artists and visionaries of the 20th century were inspired by the French capital. His obsession with 1920s Paris, however, doesn’t go down well with Inez, and she’s very keen to enjoy the holiday before returning to her life in the United States. When they bump into a couple of her friends, Paul and Carol, Inez finally sees a reason to go exploring, much to Gil’s chagrin. One night, whilst drunk, Gil goes walking through the city, getting lost before being picked up by a couple of partygoers in an old car. Despite his initial reluctance, Gil goes with them, being brought to a party like he’s never imagined. Suddenly, he finds himself with new passion and vigour for his writing, and he finds himself inspired by the city he loves so much. Meanwhile, Inez sees this behaviour as annoying, sure that whatever Gil is talking about is largely nonsense. Will Gil’s experiences help him finish the novel he so desperately wants to write? And just who will he meet along this magical journey?
So when I saw Owen Wilson on the poster of this film, I was immediately like, what? I mean, I suppose that’s a little mean, but then again, I’ve never considered Wilson seriously, mostly because he does make good comedy films. Nevertheless, Gil, who is a slightly nonchalant character, is what Wilson does perfectly. Alongside him, playing Inez is Rachel McAdams, whom I genuinely get confused with several other actresses. Luckily, she didn’t have to show off her acting chops very much, but she played a very convincing and annoying fiancée to Wilson’s character. Finally, the last of the main cast is Marion Cotillard as Adriana, the young woman whom Gil continues to run into during these parties he attends. I generally find Cotillard to be intense, but that’s more from her facial expressions rather than the role that she is playing. Adriana is naive and unassuming, and Cotillard plays her well. The supporting cast is unreal, and includes Tom Hiddleston, Corey Stoll, Adrian Brody, Kathy Bates, as well asthe previous French First Lady, Carla Bruni. It’s a stacked cast, but one that melds into creating this rich background to Gil’s story!
I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this film. My wife chose it, but she chose it specifically because she thought I would really enjoy it. And she was right. ‘Midnight in Paris’ has a simple story, but one that surprisingly immerses its viewers by the end. Nostalgia in itself is a powerful force, and the film capitalises on it perfectly. I was just thinking last night, how often I find myself thinking about “the good old days”, and I suppose that most adults must feel the same. Gil’s desire to live this fantastical life in Paris makes sense, therefore, and the annoyance that Inez feels is the same annoyance we feel towards her. I have to say, I’ve been to Paris a number of times, and personally, I don’t get the allure, but the film does showcase what an iconic city it is, and how influential it’s been on modern art and literature!
As I said, the film was a simple plot, and the low budget made sense. Some of the cinematography was decent, especially the parties that Gil attends. I’ve not seen any other Woody Allen films, and I know that there were some serious allegations made about him. I’ve always said that I would try to separate the art from the artist if possible. The film does have a distinct style, and the music is certainly one of those aspects that I feel was done quite well. Overall, this was just one of those feel-good films that you put on casually and enjoy!
Rating:
Story: ★★★
Acting: ★★★
Cinematography: ★★★½
Music: ★★★★
Enjoyability: ★★★