Elusive Perfection: Enchanting, Likable Inspiration

Rating: 10/10 (18 June 2011)

"Elusive Perfection: Enchanting, Likable Inspiration" Woody Allen directs a mish mash of great actors and actresses in "Midnight in Paris" bringing them together to create a story about a man's enchantment in Paris. The best Woody Allen movie made in years is much more majestic than his previous work and feels much more lighthearted than his typical films. Shadows of the charm of "Annie Hall's" success are present, as Owen Wilson ("Hall Pass") becomes a star once again. Wilson's happy-go-lucky attitude combined with his early artsy roots of "Bottle Rocket" make his interpretation of a successful, laidback Hollywood writer Gil the most likable character of the year. Gil is in love with the city of Paris and wishes and is infatuated with life in an earlier time period (the 1920s). Consequently, when Gil and his fiancé Inez (Rachel McAdams, "Sherlock Holmes") travel to Paris with Inez's parents, he becomes lost in the city as he struggles to finish writing his first novel. Gil is searching for inspiration stumbling upon a routine of walking through Paris after midnight. Inez does not support his ambitions and instead goes out with her old stereotypical snobbish French cultured friend Paul Bates (Michael Sheen, "Tron: Legacy") and his wife Carol (Nina Arianda, "Win Win"). None of this really matters though as the golden art of cinema is revealed with Gil's story as he meets various characters played by Adrian Brody ("Predators"), Marion Coltiard ("Inception"), Tom Hiddleston ("Thor"), Alison Phil ("Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World), and Kathy Bates ("The Blindside") in the illusion of his night pursuits.
Owen Wilson has one of the year's best performances creating one of the most likable characters to ever be on the silver screen. Owen Wilson's personality was perfect for the role, however, his success is ascribed by his ability to delve deeper into his character creating a subtle Oscar worthy performance. The rest of the cast speaks for itself with a handful of contemporary A-list stars guided by an articulate original screenplay of believable imagination. Lastly, praise for the city of Paris is well deserved because without the city where would the movie be? Woody Allen makes one cliché mistake with the development of Rachel McAdam's character Inez. McAdams has a solid performance; the problem is that Inez is portrayed as a complete selfish bitch throughout the film's entirety. Therefore, this brings up questions about why Gil and Inez are together in the first place.
An elusive rom-com about a man's discovery of inner harmony allowing him to find someone that understands him. Magic in the modern day setting has never been more humorous, convincing, or perfect.