Movie Review: Midnight in Paris

Despite the off-putting trailer and my better judgement, we decided to watch Midnight in Paris last night. I’m glad we did.

One Line Synopsis

Gil, a frustrated Hollywood screenwriter, engaged to the materialistic shrew Inez, wanders the streets of Paris and after midnight travels back in time to encounter artists and literary figures from the 1920’s Paris Cafe Society.

Standout Actors

Michael Sheen as Paul, Kathy Bates as Gertrude Stein, Corey Stoll as Ernest Hemingway.

Best Bit Part

Adrian Brody as Salvador Dali.

Why is the trailer so lame and deceptive? There’s no indication that Gil goes back in time to meet these well acted personas- Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, T.S. Eliot, Pablo Picasso, Degas, Gauguin, et. al. The trailer implies the movie is a self-indulgent Woody Allen romantic comedy. But it isn’t! The sets are great, the dialog isn’t as stilted as in most recent Allen movies, and the characters are lively and original. This movie is well worth watching.

Grade

A-