Fall Paris afternoon
For “Midnight in Paris”
A special shout-out and thanks to Woody Allen for his delicious new comedy, “Midnight in Paris.” For those of us who love Paris, (and is there anyone that doesn’t?), Woody has captured the mysterious magic of the city, along with a hilarious plot, the two worst-matched lovers one can imagine, and enchanting after-midnight encounters with many of the expatriates who populated the city in the 20’s.
Paris is one of those cities where you do feel its artistic past even as you wander through the present — you know this is where Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote their first successes, and you know Gertrude Stein and her Alice hovered over this gang as if they were her private brood, not to mention the great artists she discovered and supported.
In this film, you have a chance to hang out with them all — the ultimate fantasy for anyone who loves and follows that time in the city’s history. Ernest is pedantic and a bit dour; Zelda and F. Scott are adorably charming and fun; Picasso is brooding; Dali is a little nutty, Gertrude is earnest, supportive and fascinating — just as you would imagine. Everybody drinks and parties like crazy; talent oozes out of every pore. And our hero falls for the perfect Parisian muse, who would rather live in the Belle Epoque era than in the 20’s. The grass is always greener, right?
There are gorgeous shots of Paris, the bridges, the Seine, in the rain, Les Bouquinistes, the booksellers along the river bank, the cafes, and on and on. (Woody did this before in “Everybody Says I Love You”, which took place partially in Paris. That film ended with a hilarious French version of Groucho Marx’s “Hooray for Captain Spaulding” and a dream dance under the bridges. If you haven’t seen it, rent it.)
Plus, I love when Woody breaks through the third wall of reality, as he does in this film. You go with it because somehow, his genius makes it so beautifully believable. Another favorite where he used this technique was “The Purple Rose of Cairo”, where the movie star came off the screen to fall for lonesome little Mia Farrow.
But, back to “Midnight in Paris” — loved Kathy Bates as Gertrude, Owen Wilson is pitch-perfect as the angst-ridden anti-hero, and all the 20’s characters are exactly what you hope for, especially Alison Pill as Zelda Fitzgerald. Marion Cotillard is a gorgeous and unattainable French beauty. The first lady of France, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy plays a lovely museum guide and is heartbreakingly beautiful.
So, have I said enough? Go see “Midnight in Paris.” Or better yet, book a ticket!
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