Midnight in Paris (2011) - USA / Spain
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
Even the bravest fans of Woody Allen will say that he misses his mark for a good decade already. However in his 41st film, Allen shows us the qualities that make us fall in love with him for. Witty dialogue, cynical nature, feeling out of place in society, life and everything in general, “Midnight in Paris” is a perfect dose of dream, reality and fiction. Allen’s films are never for everyone and despite my nativity of the works of 1920s artists, the film simply intrigue me immensely.
Owen Wilson impresses me and every minute movement reminds me of Woody Allen and in particular revokes one of his greatest achievement in “Annie Hall”. Marion Cotillard is simply breathtakingly beautiful, with brilliant on-screen presence and single-handedly lifts the film above its genre conventions. Cotillard is one amazing actress and it’s difficult not to see why Wilson is falling head over heels over her. Rachel McAdams plays the distant girlfriend to good effect as the duo just simply doesn’t match. French actress Léa Seydoux shows up in two crucial scenes and is convincing as a potential love interest.
All in all, “Midnight in Paris” reminds those of us who feel as though we belong in another era. Then again at the same time, allude to us that people always get carried away about the past generation achievements of the Einsteins and the Shakespeares, when they themselves are the ones who can become the next Steve Jobs. As Allen puts it: “That’s what the present is. It’s a little unsatisfying because life is unsatisfying.” At least the film is satisfying…
I rated it 9/10