For an American lit romantic

review by Chloe Hoang

3/15/17

            Woody Allen definitely brought the “perfect” Paris of the 20s back to the fans. The movie flows like a dream. Midnight in Paris is the perfect combination of theatre and Hollywood. Woody Allen can definitely be quite a romantic. He knows how to coordinate realism and imagination in a way that makes the flow of the movie like a dream.

            Owen Wilson did an awesome job portraying Woody’s dreamy and poetic character. His style and his somewhat dorkiness makes the character seem very real and relatable to audience members. Rachel McAdams was also incredible. She played the rich, American suburban girl who tried to support her lover in the beginning, but could not possibly connect with him and his “unrealistic” ideas.

            The movie is more relatable to those in American Lit major with the big theme of great writers. But it is ok if you are not familiar with Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, or Alice B. Toklas, because if you are a romantic, you will fall in love with this movie too. Between the golden and grey effect, the high class restaurants, and the ancient art museums, fans cannot ask for more of a dreamy and charming Paris. Through this movie, Woody portrays Paris’ best characteristics.

            Though it is a fantasy/ romantic movie, Midnight in Paris definitely does make a statement about the golden times and appreciation for literature. Adriana’s sighing dissatisfaction with her own era mirrors Gil’s. Back in the daylight world of 21st-century Paris, he must contend with a materialistic fiancée, but the midnight adventures back in time with people of other eras had made him realize what he really wanted in his life as well as encouraged him to follow his heart. This plot makes a very strong statement about how beautiful life used to be and how wealth affects it.

            Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris gives the audience a break from reality for a while. Audience get to forget about all concept of time and space, and just live in the dreamland of the golden Paris for a while. The movie will either get you to relate to this time, or want to relate to all the marvelous elements of this “perfect” time.