''Midnight in Paris'' (2011 movie)- Review

Directed by: Woody Allen
Released: 2011
Country: United States

Genres : Romantic, Fantasy, Comedy

Main cast : Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, Alison Pill, Tom Hiddleston, Léa Seydoux, Adrien Brody, Kurt Fuller, Mimi Kennedy, Corey Stoll, Nina Arianda, Michael Sheen, Marcial Di Fonzo Bo

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Woody Allen writes and directs ''Midnight in Paris', a lovely, sweet and light love story. This imaginative movie is so good that it impresses us the moment we start watching it. Lovely movie!

Nostalgia- probably all of us have nostalgia. The film's protagonist, Gil Pender, also has nostalgia, and he longs for an era which he never saw. The 1920s. Paris in 1920s in the rain. Rain plays an important role in this film, and the film ends with a lovely rain- Paris in rain.

The film starts showing us several beautiful places, beautiful locations of Paris. The first scenes are beautiful, and made me very curious and more attracted to this film.

We are then introduced to Gil Pender, a screenwriter who is now working hard on a novel. He has written several films, some of which had been successful. But now he is writing a novel about a person who runs a ''memory shop''. His fiance, Inez, wants him to return to writing screenplays.

Anyways, Gil and Inez are now in Paris. Inez's father had to come here for some work, and Gil and Inez also go the Paris with Inez's parents. Gil gets nostalgic about the 1920s in Paris-  though he has never seen the 1920s!

Gil and Inez visit several locations with Inez's friend, pseudo-intellectual Paul and his wife Carol. At late evening Gil goes to walk on the streets for getting refereshed.

Then what?? Just as the midnight starts, a 1920s car arrives in front of Gil. They invite him to come and sit in the car. Gil accepts. The people in the car are all wearing 1920s dresses.

After some time, Gil discovers that he has actually travelled back to the 1920s! Oh yes, he has! Isn't that cool? 

Gil is extremely surprised and fascinated to see all those people from the 1920s, to be in the 1920s Paris. He meets so many people from that era: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Fitzgerald, Cole Porter, Ernest Hemigway, Pablo Picasso, Gertrud Stein, among others. Just like this, every midnight he travels back to the 1920s.

Then a thing happens: Gil falls in love with a woman from that era, and the woman loves him too...

I read about this film a few days ago, and the film's basic story (nostalgia, time travel) immediately made me interested about this film. But this film was so much better than I expected. It is so charming, so magical, that one cannot but like this film. It's amazing, and the film is made more artistic by the beautiful music playing at the background, charming scenery, the dialogues, and the lighthearted themes.

The film seldom makes you laugh out loud. Basically, the film has humor in it, but the humor is light. Mostly, the film is cheerful and touching. It gives a smile in the face.

Woody Allen, a brilliant filmmaker, amazingly directs this amazing film. It's such an imaginative and charming film. The story is, as I mentioned, highly attractive and interesting. The presentation is great! Cinematography is beautiful and contributes to make this film great. The background music, as I mentioned, is beautiful and sometimes sweet.

Now, coming to the performances! Owen Wilson is a brilliant actor and his performance as Gil Pender is praiseworthy. Rachel McAdams plays Inez, Gil's fiance. Though initially presented as a major supporting character, gradually her importance in the film decreases. But still, it's an important character and Rachel McAdams's performance is excellent. Marion Cotillard plays Adriana, a woman from the 1920s. Gil and Adriana fall in love with each other.

Alison Pil and Tom Hiddleston play supporting roles as Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald respectively. Kathy Bates plays her role as Gertrud Stein well, and Corey Stoll is quite remarkable as Ernest Hemingway. Adrien Brody makes a brief appearance as surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. Léa Seydoux initially played a minor supporting character, but surprisingly her role got importance in the last scene of the movie. Michael Sheen gives a good performance as Paul Bates.

Shortly, ''Midnight in Paris'' is a delightful, refreshing lovely film. The film is touching and gives a smile in the face. Watch this film, it's wonderful!

4 out of 5!