MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (REVIEW)
Rated PG - 94 mins
Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Michael Sheen, Rachel McAdams, Kathy
Bates, Alison Pill, Tom Hiddleston
This is a grand comedy with so many seductive secrets
and delightful surprises - I am not going to spoil it for anyone in
this review. However, I will retort by saying next to 'The Help', this
is a clear frontrunner for film of the year - I actually can't stop
thinking about it.
The film opens with an extended prologue from dawn to
darkness, capturing the dreamlike essence of mystic in the city of lights
to the sounds of calming classical music. Soon after this big screen
postcard from Paris beginning, we meet Gil (Owen Wilson) - a Hollywood
scribe with writer's block yearning to write a great American novel
just like Hemmingway. He and his brittle fiancée, Inez (Rachel
McAdams) along with her parents, are on a sightseeing trip in Paris
but Gil wants to do more than simply shopping.
Frustrating Gil even further is the arrival of friends
Carol and husband Paul, an overly educated individual who thinks he
knows everything. After a night of sampling an abundance of vintage
wines, Gil leaves the group to seek inspiration by drunkenly walking
the rain soaked streets. At the stroke of midnight as the city bell
tolls, a car pulls up on a corner with the party-going occupants of
the classic Peugeot inviting Gil inside.
What follows is hilarious, romantic and full of razor
sharp wit. It's a surreal journey into the folds of night that may change
the life of Gil and those around him. A random meeting with a famous
fashion designer could be the muse Gil needs, not to mention endless
love. Directed by former male model and Oscar winning cinematic genius
Woody Allen, this is completely fresh from an auteur of over 40 feature
films, although anyone familiar with one of his masterpieces, 'Purple
Rose of Cario', may enjoy the slight similarities.
With too many to name, his ensemble cast show a sense
of realism amongst the scenario being played out. Wilson is nothing
short of perfect, channelling Allen himself with unique mannerisms and
comic timing. As the objective parents, Kurt Fuller and Mimi Kennedy
draw many observational laughs, while Michael Sheen almost steals the
film as Paul. Nose pointed upwards, he proves a degree doesn't always
mean common sense, thus providing many uproarious reactions. Even the
first lady of France, Carla Bruni makes a memorable cameo as a museum
guide and any film with one of the great under-rated actors of our time,
Adrien Brody (The Pianist, Summer of Sam) has to be worth a look.
Midnight in Paris should not be missed under any circumstances.
It has made my movie going year so far.
Shane
A. Bassett
