Review of Midnight in Paris (2011) by Tero H — 21 Oct 2012

I went to the movies to see this film, and it was great. I was rather surprised by Allen, I had expected something else. Surprised positively. In fact it has taken me a while to form a semblance of a coherent review. I was unsure if the film's short duration is a probelem and I couldn't resist the feeling that the film should have had one more scene somewhere about something.

Owen Wilson and Marion Cotillard are perfect for their roles. Wilson even sounds a bit like Allen in his previous movies, in his roles as a neurotic little man. Cotillard is.. well, in this rare occasion I would like to quote another review from a finnish website: 'The best example embodying the movie's disarming sweetness is the radiant Marion Cotillard, whose hazy enchantment seems something out of this world.' Indeed. In any case, I have a sure feeling that this will become a classic movie. Comedy and fantasy covered with some sort of warm humane blanket. Warm, charming, funny and romantic. Light but not shallow. Wilson and the artists bring some physical and verbal comedy to the mixture.

Lea Seydoux is wonderful in the final scene at the bridge in the rain..The scene of her smiling somehow felt like one was thrown in a storm of flowers and sprinkled with warm summer rain. Answering Pascale Lamche's tv documentary French Beauty, 'Is absolute beauty dangerous?'. Yes, it is.

I already mentioned Cotillard. There is one scene in particular where Wilson and her walk in the street before they are taken to belle epoque; I'm watching, listening, taking in the impressions.. its really atmospheric.

The artists are funny and a central part of the comedy. There are so many of them, though, that if one picks someone instinctively who might be more interesting to see than the others, one may not see enough of that particular artists. Some also get less screen, such as Pablo Picasso, which is a bit of a shame.

Although the dialogue is pretty fast, it still works very well and is easy to follow. Seemingly superficial, it however works well with other elements of the movie to create a balanced interaction between the movie and the moviegoer. Very well directed and acted. Fun. Intriguing. Allen at his best.