Enjoyable and nostalgic

Rating: Null/10 (14 July 2017)

Midnight in Paris was an enjoyable film to watch, stories about time travel and great historical figures is always a treat to watch. The protagonist (Owen Wilson) perfectly fits into this story as a writer who fancies the past and the city of Paris. Woody Allen has shown his great talent through his direction, symbolism and letting the audience experience Paris in different times. It was fun ride to watch Gil (Wilson) travel back in time to the 1920s in Paris and Midnight and interact with some of history's memorable and significant figures. As the film progresses you see Gil's life and time become happier and more exciting but at the same time his life in the present is in decline. The first half of the film was magical and a joy to watch.
The only criticism I have is the part where Marion Cotillard's character also has the opportunity to travel to an even earlier time in Paris in the same manner as Gil by accepting a ride at midnight. This somewhat made the film confusing and harder to buy into. How many people can slip back into time besides Gil so easily? While the past was celebrated well in the film the ease with which people could go back and possibly even change past events underscores its importance and significance it has played. I feel they could have omitted that element and it should have only been Gil's ability and journey. He could have still reached his epiphany that people in the present always look to the past and nostalgia is a feeling that each generation will continue to have. Overall still an enjoyable and creative film.
7.5/10