The Magic of Midnight in Paris

Rating: Null/10 (26 May 2011)

Woody Allen's 'Midnight in Paris' Kay Webb Woody Allen has created a sense of romance and magic through the simple act of strolling along the softly lit streets of Paris at midnight. Owen Wilson's voice sounds over the opening credits and jazz music, reflecting on the idea of living in Paris in the 1920's. His character Gil believes that there would be nothing better to do than to walk in the rain, absorbing in the vibrant culture of the time period. His fiancée Inez has other ideas; most of them have to do with staying in the states.
The two begin their stay in the city of lights captives in the presence of the fiancée's old college professor who is an expert on everything he sees. Gil decides to split from the group after an evening of wine tasting to walk the streets at night. He quickly gets lost and can't find his way back when an antique car pulls up to him full of partiers, drinking and reveling in the night. They invite him to join their party which he readily accepts but comes to realize, to his amazement, that they aren't from this time period. In his company are F. Scott Fitzgerald, his wife Zelda, Cole Porter, and Earnest Hemingway. He can hardly believe his luck. He takes a chance and asks Hemingway if he would proof-read his novel. The man prattles on about truth and courage, and then suggests that he should have Gertrude Stein take a look at it. Gil leaves excited at this unreal experience and the chance for someone to read his book. After few steps however, he realized that he never confirmed where to meet Mr. Hemingway and turns on his heels to go back to the bar. When he returns, it is now a laundry mat. Excited but confused he returns to his hotel room and his girlfriend who is becoming quite annoyed at him. Gil spends his days with her and her cynical mother, searching for Cole Potter records among the antique shops in Paris. He returns every night at the same time to continue his adventure and his renewed interest in his novel, welcoming the chance to experience the people and the artistic energy in this exciting time in history. One of the more colorful characters he meets is Salvador Dali, who insists on painting him with a rhinoceros. Unknown to him though, the more time he spends with his book and his midnight escapades the more his fiancé spends with her old college professor. It is during this time in the past that he meets and falls in love with a beautiful French woman named Adriana who is currently dating Picasso. The two walk the streets talking about art and literature when she mentions that she would love to go back in time to the 1890's, the time of can-can dancers and Toulouse Lautrec. Instantly, a horse drawn carriage appears and two well dressed people in top hats and formal dress urge them to join them. The two travel back in time again and arrive at Montmartre in its hey-day. The girl meets a few of her heroes from the past, like Gauguin and Degas. Enraptured with the time period she decides to stay. Knowing that his real time is in the future, Gil reluctantly leaves her there. He arrives back in his time period to discover that his fiancé has indeed been cheating on him. When confronted though she merely throws her hands up, unconcerned with her discretion. The message is clear to him now and he decides it is time for him to leave. His experience in the past has taught him to appreciate the now. This is his golden age and he needs to seize it. He walks out of the hotel and onto the darkened streets of Paris. He crossed a bridge and meets a nice Parisian girl that sold him the Cole Potter record. The two connect and they walk off as it starts to rain