I’ve never been a big fan of Woody Allen and as such, had low expectations for Midnight in Paris. My problem with Allen stems from an annoyance with the man himself. As he insists on always being the lead, whether that means starring or writing himself into a film, it’s always been difficult for me to sit through his films without cringing at the introduction of the meek and neurotic stereotype.
Midnight in Paris surpasses this problem by casting Owen Wilson, a man who can only play himself, as Gil Pender, Hollywood screenwriter ashamed of his empty successes. Fortunately enough for me, I find Wilson’s wild, yet mild mannered bewilderment and mumbling delivery charming. In fact, in a nutshell, Midnight in Paris proves quintessentially charming. The film finds Gil in Paris with fiancé Inéz (Rachel McAdams), determined to give his literary ambitions an earnest try.
Contrary to typical renditions of lovers in the City of Light, the couple constantly bickers over his artistic intentions and undying nostalgia for a Paris of the 1920s. Then, on a late night walk through the city streets, he’s picked up by a vintage car that takes him back to the era of radical and tragically romantic artists. Disoriented for a second, Gil quickly takes advantage, partaking in the pleasure and company of those times, while allowing his present to go on without him.
Where Owen excels at playing the creative and romantic Gil, McAdams as Inéz isn’t bad, but definitely lacking. Here, the script seems to be at fault, however, as Inéz plays to the shrew type, belittling and materialistic, a justification for wandering eyes and following your dreams. She’s at such great odds with Gil, it’s difficult to believe they’d ever be together long enough to form a relationship. That, however, is my only real qualm with the film. Midnight in Paris is a good time, worth a viewing for its picturesque pans of Paris alone.
Sarah McBride is a self-proclaimed pop-culture enthusiast. Her thoughts on music, film, lit and life can be found at sarahism.com. You can follow her on twitter @sarahism.