Let us all sit down and enjoy a fantastic film known as “Midnight in Paris”. This film is a personal favorite of mine from the collection of films written and directed by Woody Allen. Released in 2011, this film is the highest grossing of the jewish autor’s. Rightfully so as Midnight in Paris draws on so many themes such as nostalgia and modernism. Midnight in Paris is available for renting on Amazon Prime and Youtube.
What strikes the chord within me is that by the end you realize that everybody is wishing they were somewhere else. Save for perhaps the modest F. Scott Fitzgerald. I come away from this movie always appreciating where I am and knowing I am capable of doing great things in my own time.
Being French as well is part of why I adore this film too! I mean Woody Allen is able to capture the city I was born in so beautifully and unlike others I’d seen before. If someone has captured a more beautiful montage of Paris, PLEASE tell me in the comments below. I love Woody Allen’s use of real French actors. My heart leaps when I see Gad on the screen, Léa Seydoux, and the first-lady at the time herself (and lovely singer) Carla Bruni.
I hope as you watch you also can picture yourself in Gil’s shoes. Imagine meeting the likes of your artistic idols! Woody did a great job in casting. I mean, the way in which the actors give these great people new life is uplifting. I really believe we should consume their literary and artistic works. Would it necessarily make us better people? Well quite frankly I have no clue as to whether or not you’re already a good person. I like to think that you are, but there is no way in which for me to exactly know that. Thus I recommend anything of any of these artists if you haven’t already read their books or seen their paintings. They’re classics for a reason you know.
But enough about me, what about you?
> Is there any better city or time period in which you wanted a film such as this to take place?
> What actor do you think inhabits their character best? Is it Corey Stoll in the role of Ernest Hemmingway? Or do you think Owen Wilson does a better job bringing to life a more relatable character from our time?
> Woody Allen himself is a hot button topic. Are you a fan of his? Do you have a favorite movie in which he’s directed? Spare no details!
I always think that Hemingway is my favorite character when reflecting on the film, but from recent viewings I find Brody's over-the-top turn as Dali! and Gad as Detective Tisserant to be inexhaustible founts of delight! Top marks of course go to the soundtrack and score (which maybe serve better than any other elements of the film to drive home our universal nostalgia for eras long past.)
Allen definitely hits the nail on the head in his theme of the universalized "Golden Age Syndrome," and has to get top marks for not devolving into the cynicism that the plot so easily could been steeped in (especially considering the fate many of Gil's heroes and heroines faced.)
This might be the best reflection of Allen's existentialist motifs and outlook, and a good compliment to his potentially harder to digest films. That Allen chose to opt for more sweet than bitter in his conclusion, maybe reflects something optimistic for all of us hoping to make the most of the times we are in.