Midnight In Paris [DVD] [2012]

Perfect film if you like time travel films

So, ok. You want to watch a Woody Allen film, but you're not sure which one. Mighty Aphrodite, with its oddly supernatural-imbued ethos, or maybe Manhattan, because it's so evocative. But then there's Hannah and Her Sisters, with that great scene with Michael Caine. But isn't all this a bit too serious and (maybe) even depressing? Are you sure you're not overthinking this one? I mean, how can you know?If you're in a dilemma, then Midnight in Paris may well be the one to watch, because it's got almost all of the hallmark Woody Allen ingredients, only more so. Owen Wilson gets the character that Allen would have played, if only he were still young enough, absolutely right. There's the set-piece argument with the Republican, the feelings of intellectual inferiority, the oppressive fiancée, the yet more oppressive mother-in-law to be, the romance that could have been so much more, and, finally, the pay-off, where Allen/Wilson meets the manic-pixie-dream-girl who perfectly fits his personality.All of these are great things, but it's the involuntary time-travel riff which really makes this film hum. Allen has experimented with time travel before, of course, but in this film his alter-ego gets to meet more of his heroes than even Bill and Ted do in their extraordinary adventure.This is a maturer film than many. In the earlier Allen, his main character's weaknesses are exposed and exploited, and the protagonist is so often left with only might-have-beens. Perhaps Manhattan Murder Mystery was the turning point, but this one takes it right to its conclusion. The extremely quirky quirks of fate lead Allen/Wilson not to his destruction, but to escape from a marriage which every viewer can see would not have worked, and from the parents-in-law from hell, to a fulfilling future as a confident, no longer neurotic writer who has found his muse.Oh, and if you look carefully, that red-headed lawyer from Spiral is in the caste.Perfect

A delightful, touching nostalgic, romantic film

The Golden Age: Paris in the 1920s, la Belle Époque, the Renaissance, some other nostalgic era or is the concept just an illusion?Gil Pender and his fiancée Inez are having an all-expense paid holiday in Paris supported by Inez's parents. Though Gil has been to the City of Lights on numerous occasions it appears his love for the place is rekindled every time he returns. For him, a successful screenwriter and budding novelist from California, the L'Age d'Or was Paris in the roaring 20s. In stark contrast, Inez believes the concept is an illusion constructed by individuals wanting to escape the hard realities of their present. This is the central theme explored in Woody Allen's 2011 offering "Midnight in Paris".One evening, Gil gets lost while trying to walk back to their hotel alone after an evening out with Inez and acquaintances. At midnight, from out of the darkness, he recognises the distinct and somewhat strange appearance of a vintage Rolls Royce, from which individuals whose features are obscured in shadow and whose voices are almost incomprehensible, beacon him to join them for an evening out on the town.Accepting their invitation les fêtards (revellers) attend a party where a pianist appears to be doing a rather convincing imitation of Cole Porter, singing a melody of the great songwriter's classic songs. After a couple introduce themselves as Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald he finally realised, as unbelievable as it seems, he has been transported back to the era of high culture, prosperity and decadence that he loves so much, via a time machine in the guise of a classic automobile, and that the Porter impersonator and the debonair couple are actually the real deal. Gil has a ball of a time and before the evening has ended will ask "Papa" Hemmingway to critique the novel he is writing.The question is, will the manifestation of his fantasy be a catalyst for a more productive and fulfilling life, or will the dream now acquired not seem as enchanting under close inspection?As are most of Allen's movies, this is a romantic comedy where much of the humour proceeds from the contrast in personalities and perspectives of the leading protagonists. For example, Gil thinks that there is nothing more romantic than walking through the streets of Paris in the rain while Inez thinks that the only thing you'll get out of that experience is wet!Artists also feature quite prominently in the film and are incorporated into the central theme. While attending the Cabaret at the Moulin Rouge Gil bumps into the impressionists Gauguin and Degas, both who are not immune from this same spirit of nostalgia as him and speak of the Renaissance as being the Golden Age.Allen, through Gil, plays out the secret yearning of many a visitor to an art gallery in an amusing way as well. While visiting one of Paris's galleries Gil has the capability of making a more precise interpretation about Picasso masterpiece than that made by his fiancé's friend and Sorbonne lecturer Paul, due to the fact that he had been present during the discourse about the work by both the artist himself and cultural icon and commentator of the era, Gertrude Stein the night before.The montage of romantic Parisian views at the start of the movie coupled with the soundtrack filled with originals by Sidney Bechet, Josephine Baker and Django Reinhart give the film it's continental and romantic tone and feel. For some viewers this may feel all a bit cliché and "sickly sweet" but maybe there is a bit of Inez in them, who after returning to the hotel after a day out say that, "if I see another pretty boulevard I don't know what I'm going to do".I rented a streamed copy of the movie from iTunes but enjoyed it so much I decided to buy my own copy. I don't have a particular era I esteem higher than any other but I'm a romantic at heart and like Gil a sucker for a little nostalgia. :)

I delayed buying the DVD as I wasn't totally convinced that Woody Allen and Owen Wilson would be the perfect mix for me, but I was so pleasantly surprised. Rarely do I watch a film and wish it had been longer. Usually they are drawn out and stretched to the limit, but I honestly believe that another half an hour could have been spent "in the past" on this film. I loved every moment of it and adored the fashion of the 20's, the acting by all the cast was superb and yes, it was sweet and predictable, but oh the joy of watching something that left you feeling happy and uplifted instead of depressed. I adore Paris and go very often but so many films ignore the obvious beauty of the city. This one was an exception. The beautiful sequence at the beginning, showing Paris at it's most spectacular, gripped me immediately. A sceptical husband was "forced" to watch it on my 3rd viewing and admitted it was "very good" - high praise indeed. It's the type of film you will immediately go to on a cold, wet day or when you need cheering up. I agree with Gil; Paris in the rain is beautiful in a way no other city is. A fairytale for adults - perfect!

Now I can watch us any time one of my favorite movies

Uno dei film meglio riusciti di Woody Allen. Ricordi di un tempo passato che trasfigura nella poesia

beaucoup aimé ce film avec des images magnifiques sur Paris et un scénario intéressant sans être d'une grande originalité , du woody Allenque personnellement j'aime

Wir haben den Film jetzt schon mehrmals angeschaut, und er ist immer noch nicht langweilig!

Great movie and no problems with the DVD. I bought it in Japan but I could play it on my PlayStation 5. Thank you.