Monday, October 17, 2011

2011 - MIDNIGHT IN PARIS - Woody Allen's biggest hit in a long time.


I suppose there must be some satisfaction at Woody Allen's age (75 years) that Midnight in Paris has been his most successful film ever.  Audiences have seemed to embrace this light weight romantic fantasy with nice scenic shots of Paris.


Frankly this Woody Allen film doesn't seem all that different than any of the other later Woody Allen films.  This is the same type of film he has been cranking out for the past 10 years or so.  Midnight in Paris is maybe lacking some of his sourpuss attitude that is usually to be found in his films, and I am guessing that is the reason audiences have responded to this film.


With any Woody Allen film, the actors have to be very good to not sound like Woody Allen.  Owen Wilson was apparently up to the challenge, he takes some of the tired Woody Allen comedy bits and dialog and makes them seem sort of funny.

The women characters in the film get the short end of the deal.  Rachel McAdams, who has been struggling to carry a film as a lead gets the supporting role as Wilson's finance,  a shallow and materialistic woman.  Marion Cotillard is the free spirit who Wilson meets when he travels back in time.  She's pretty much there as a way for Allen to move his slight plot forward. 

Woody Allen on the set.

As usual with any Woody Allen film, Midnight in Paris is very well made.

94 minutes.

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