'Midnight in Paris' Movie Review

'Midnight in Paris' Movie Review Written by: Karen Benardello


Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world, and often inspires and rekindles passion in relationships. New York native Woody Allen, who wrote and directed the new Sony Pictures Classic romantic fantasy comedy ‘Midnight in Paris,’ which is now playing in select Long Island theaters, strives to capture the City of Light’s past romance. While his goal is to prove how much easier and more loving life was in an earlier era, Allen regrettably fails to capture the much-needed modern conflict to make his intended themes believable.

‘Midnight in Paris’ follows Gil Pender (played by Owen Wilson), a Hollywood screenwriter who’s dissatisfied with his life, as he travels to Paris with his fiancée, Inez (portrayed by Rachel McAdams), and her parents for their business. Gil is struggling to finish his first novel, as he wants to prove that he can do more than just write movies. The harder he works on his novel, the further he emotionally distances himself from Inez, who looks down upon the project and his lifestyle.

Gil dreams of living in 1920s Paris, a time he believes is much simpler than present day America. While walking around the City of Lights on his own one night, Gil gets into a car with strangers, and is actually transported back in time to the ’20s. There he meets such famous artists and writers as Ernest Hemingway (played by Corey Stoll), F. Scott Fitzgerald (portrayed by Tom Hiddleston) and Pablo Picasso (portrayed by Marcial Di Fonzo Bo). Having getting excited about meeting his idols, Gil realizes that everyone is looking for a “golden past,” in which they become nostalgic about, and romanticize, an earlier time, instead of accepting their present and uncertain future.


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