1. Charm. This is the biggest factor that contributes to whether I fall in love with a movie.
2. An active plot. I don't want to be bored.
3. Humor/Wittiness. Enough said.
4. Can I watch this movie with my parents and feel comfortable? Cleanliness in a movie is pretty important to me. I don't want to feel embarrassed for recommending it to a friend, only for them to feel uncomfortable when they watch it with their 75 year old grandmother.
Midnight in Paris more than meets all of these factors.
1. First off is charm. I don't think I've been this impressed with a movie since Amelie. Throughout the entire movie, I had a giant grin on my face. It was just magical. Granted, any movie that takes place in Paris, is going to have an element of romanticism, but this film goes so much farther than romanticism. Midnight in Paris is about love, yes, but more-so it is about finding happiness in the present. I think that's something we all take for granted. Gil, the main character, played by Owen Wilson is a dreamer. He makes an adequate living writing screenplays, but his true passion lies in writing great novels, similar to those by Hemingway and Fitzgerald. He wants his life to mean something. He also wishes he lived in a better time, a more romantic time. That's something that I've felt all too often. I think the combination of The City of Lights and romantic ideals is what makes this movie so charming.
2. As far as having an active plot, this movie definitely does. Midnight in Paris never ceases to surprise. Just when you think you have a hold of what's going on, the plot changes again. Even the characters are a constant surprise. I don't want to spoil it for you, because the movie is full of little gems that the preview doesn't even get into, but seriously, you won't be bored.
3. And now on to humor. I'm just going to say, I love Woody Allen's brand of comedy. He's honest about life, but presents it with humor instead of the heavy seriousness that's so common in film nowadays. He knows how to make commentaries on love, without it being a giant, painful ordeal. He's also not afraid to be intelligent with his comedy, which is what he did in this film. This is perhaps my favorite movie that he's done. The cast is perfect. Everyone from Owen Wilson, to Rachel McAdams, to Marion Cotillard is pure perfection. They know how to nail a line. They know how to be funny, but in a very subtle, un-acted way. Overall, despite the enchantment of the past and Paris and love, Midnight in Paris is incredibly funny. I definitely recommend it if you're in the mood for a good laugh.
4. Cleanliness: Midnight is Paris is actually super clean. I didn't know where it was going to go when I saw the previews, but this is definitely a movie the family can see together. Granted, the humor may be above a child's head because of the intelligence factor, but ya. I can't say there was anything that made me uncomfortable in the movie.
Phew. Congratulations if you made it through all of that. I know it was a lot. I just fell so head over heals for Midnight in Paris, that I felt it deserved more than a fleeting sentence or two. I can honestly say, it's my new favorite movie. What do you think? Are you going to give it a shot? Have you seen Midnight in Paris already?
Now enjoy some lovely photos from the movie.
Tell me you're not smitten already?
All photos via Sony Pictures Classics
1 comment:
I didn't realize this movie was out yet! I will add it to my list of girl-nighter's very soon! =]
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