Review #39 | "Midnight in Paris" (2011)

Woody Allen's originality has become a staple of his brand. "Midnight in Paris" is no exception to the romantic, one-of-a-kind tales he produces. The audience is taken on a journey of self reflection. However, Allen never lets to mood go sour. Something new is always around the corner and new revelations ready for exploration.

The malcontent Gil is in Paris with his fiancee, Inez, and her parents. He is a very successful screenwriter, but dreams of becoming a literary author. Gil wanders around Paris and comes across people he never dreamed he could meet and becomes re-inspired to take his life into his own hands.

Woody Allen's signature style does not lack in his four-time Academy Award nominated film. In fact, the original screenplay won the Oscar in the 2011 season. Simplification of extraordinary characters highlights the differences between "them" and Gil. Even when surrounded by similar intellectuals, Gil is still the odd man out, only he has found security kindred spirits.

Unlike Inez and the people of her world, Gil is unsure of everything he wants. He has lacked the personal freedom he has longed for. "Midnight in Paris" follows Gil through his personal transformation. The moral is that we make our own happiness, no one can make it for us.

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Rated "R" Runs 1 hour 34 minutes.

Directed by Woody Allen. Starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen, Nina Arianda, Tom Hiddleston, Corey Stoll, and Lea Seydoux.