Midnight in Paris

Midnight in Paris was released on May 20, 2011, premiering at the 64th Cannes Film Festival 9 days before. It was written and directed by Woody Allen, and stars Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, Carla Bruni, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen, and Owen Wilson.

Yes, despite doing the list (as I have come to call it), I will still review current movies as well.

I love Woody Allen. Not just his films, but the guy as well. While I think it's kinda weird, to say the least, that he married his step-daughter, I love the fact that he did that, and can still make good films. It just shows that it doesn't matter what someone's personal beliefs are as, as long as they can do good work and make something people will like. Also, I love his films. Hannah and Her Sisters, Love and Death, I love them all. To me, Woody Allen films are a lot like pizza. When it's good, it's really good. When it's bad, it's still pretty good.

While his recent films certainly haven't been the best, you'll be glad to know that this film is rather special. A tribute of sorts to Paris, we meet Gil (Owen Wilson), a Hollywood screenwriter with has nostalgia for 1920s Paris. He's about to get married to Inez (Rachel McAdams), but doesn't know if he really wants to. When he and Inez tag along with her parents on a business trip to Paris, he discovers something interesting about the town, something nostalgic, and purely magical.

I won't spoil basic plot of the movie for you, even though it's quite easy to figure out by simply looking at the cast list. Just let me say that nostalgia is a major theme of this film.

The acting is rather good. Owen Wilson, an actor I've never had too much respect for, as it turns out, can play Woody Allen really well. he's gone up a few notches in my book. Rachel McAdams is also quite spectacular, playing a bit of a bitch, who only really wants to get married for the sake of getting married. The supporting cast also does great, playing their roles rather perfectly.

Woody Allen does just as great as he always does, with this film being his best since Bullets Over broadway, which was released in 1994. While able to get the drama of some of his better films, he's also able to get some great comedy in certain parts, reminiscent of Love and Death.

Overall, I find this film to be magically enjoyable. It's a very simple film, with a simple concept, handled perfectly. Woody Allen is at the top of his game again. This films gets a perfect 10/10 for me.