Movie Monday: Midnight in Paris

I really like Midnight in Paris. And that’s saying something, because I’ve never considered myself a particular fan of writer/director Woody Allen, or stars Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams.

But I do love Paris. Hmm…

I didn’t know much about the movie going in, and I’m going to attempt to not spoil it for you in my review. But if you haven’t seen it (or heard anything about it), then you might want to stop reading now. I think the film is best if you go into it completely blind. I hadn’t read any reviews of the film prior to seeing it, but I was aware of the general positive buzz.

Stoll as Hemingway

Somewhere along the way, however, I did figure out that there was going to be some sort of time travel trickery involved. I expected to be annoyed by it, but it was handled in such a charming and infectious way that I just went along for the ride.

Brody as Dali

Great performances by well-known stars playing well-known literary and artistic greats made the illogical time travel not only bearable, but a delightful confection.

Paris has always struck me as a city enamored of its own past. And it just didn’t seem that far-fatched that early 20th-century luminaries could still be out there carousing the streets of a Roaring 20′s Paris.

Ahh, l'amour!

At the movie’s heart is Owen Wilson’s slightly befuddled Gil. Wilson turns in an understated, nuanced performance that made me like him as an actor a heck of a lot more than I did before. To be fair, he generally finds himself in roles that call for a bit of over-the-top hijinks, so perhaps I’ve been to harsh a critic in the past. I still don’t like Rachel McAdams, but that works for her here, as her Inez is far from likable. I adore Marion Cotillard and she’s delightful as ever as Adriana, the requisite “manic pixie dream girl” in any film with a confused leading man looking to reexamine his life. She’s lovely and beguiling and I fell a bit in love with her myself. I could hardly blame Gil for doing the same.

I could go on, but anything else will spoil it for you. I certainly don’t want to give away the end, which was both expected and slightly unexpected at the same time. That seems a contradiction, I know, but this is a film best enjoyed by not being overly logical.

This film is Woody Allen’s love letter to Paris… I’m so glad he let me read it over his shoulder.

An Officer in the Family

My little brother graduates from the Police Academy this evening. I couldn’t be prouder. Being a police officer has been his dream for as far back as I can remember. He applied many times before getting accepted, but he never gave up. Turns out it’s hard as hell to get accepted and even harder to make it through. [So not at all like what you see in the movies!] But he did it.

When they pin his badge on tonight, there won’t be a dry eye in the family.

You rock, bro. You rock hard.

 

Movie Monday: The Artist

I saw The Artist at The Charles Theater during a Sunday matinée. The place was packed and the credits rolled to applause from the audience, myself included. Peopled clapped. At a movie. How many times have you had that happen? It hasn’t happened that often to me.

I’m completely convinced The Artist is going to take home the Best Picture Academy Award. I still haven’t seen The Tree of Life of The Descendants, so maybe I’m not the most qualified to judge. But…

I love this film.

Yes, the plot is a little predictable. There wasn’t a single moment that I didn’t see coming. And making a silent movie about the era of silent films could (and should) be called a gimmick.

But none of that matters.

Best Actor? You bet!

Director Michel Hazanavicius sweeps you up in his vision and you’re just along for the very enjoyable ride. Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo are a delight to watch on screen. The dog is adorable. The music is amazing. The editing and cinematography are perfect.

It all just works.

Dujardin is definitely a star. He made me laugh and he damn near made me cry. All without saying a word. Bejo has a beauty and freshness that only black-and-white film can do justice. It’s a cliché, but a true one, to say she lights up the screen. However, all the actors, no matter how small the role, bring their A-game.

This movie is a love letter to Hollywood and it includes many of the character actors that make Hollywood great. If you love film and TV the way I love film and TV, you’ll spend the entire time recognizing people such as John Goodman, James Cromwell, Missi Pyle, Beth Grant, Joel Murray and Malcolm McDowell. [NB: Sorry, Penelope Ann Miller. I didn't recognize you. IMDb had to clue me in.]

I dare you to go see this film and leave the theater without a smile on your face.