“Sometimes a movie star’s spark
Gets you through the dark.”
Today was my blessed day off, so I had the time to watch two movies: Midnight In Paris (2011) and The Vow (2012). While it may not be fair to place these two movies side-by-side for comparison, I wanted to write my thoughts on the two movies, and why I liked MIP more then The Vow. Both of them feature Canadian actress Rachel McAdams alongside male leads Owen Wilson and Channing Tatum, respectively.
Midnight In Paris was the one I saw first. I’m late jumping on the movie bandwagon, so I didn’t see it until today, but I know many friends like this movie and would recommend it.
The film is about Gil (Owen Wilson), a Hollywood film writer who wants to pursue novel writing. He’s engaged to his fiancée (Rachel McAdams), and as the couple are vacationing in Paris before the wedding, he discovers new perspectives on life, his relationship, and of course, the magical city itself. Really, it’s magical. At the stroke of midnight, a taxi comes to whisk Gil away to the era he most admires: Paris in the 1920’s. He meets literary icons Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, as well as Pablo Picasso and others. (It’s completely extraordinary!)
In addition, Gil is taken with another girl he meets from the past, Adriana (Marion Cotillard). This causes him internal conflict as he struggles to figure out what he really wants in his life.
A romantic stroll in 1920’s Paris!
My reaction to this movie is quite surprising. I wasn’t paying attention at first, but the subtlety of the movie and it’s many underlying tones called out to me. It was a thought-provoking film, exploring themes that people probably subconsciously think about day-to-day. Nostalgia, missing the past, unsure of what the future holds–even writer’s block and struggling to find inspiration from somewhere. These are all aspects of life people think and worry about. The pace of the movie is slow and relaxed, reminiscent of a dream mixed with a pleasant vacation. (Which is what it is, really.) The film gives me hope that, even though writing is such a tedious chore, it’s worth it to keep soldiering on. The strong cast of actors/actresses on the film was magnificent!
★ Memorable quotes:
“If it’s bad, I’ll hate it because I hate bad writing, and if it’s good, I’ll be envious and hate it all the more. You don’t want the opinion of another writer.” – Ernest Hemingway, Midnight In Paris
“I’ll never be a great lyric writer; my talent lies in drinking.” – Zelda Fitzgerald, Midnight In Paris
Coming up next: The Vow.
Thanks for visiting～♡
3 Comments so far
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SHEEP★DOLL 
Superb movie and great review!
Your sheep-doll avatar is FANTASTIC!!! :O)
Comment by Shimky May 10, 2012 @ 5:06 amShimky – Thank you so much! Did you see/like this movie, too? Great to have you visiting, I appreciate the comment!
Comment by sheepdoll May 10, 2012 @ 9:44 amYes, I did. I reviewed it too!
Comment by Shimky May 10, 2012 @ 11:07 am