Writer/Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Corey Stoll, Kathy Bates and Adrien Brody
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films thar audiences recall like Corey Stoll. Following his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Stoll has created memorable movies. Whether it’s Paris painters, astronauts or dark gangsters, Stoll has played many characters. Arguably, Stoll’s strength as an actor has always been his abilities to steal the show in a supporting role. Stoll has never been afraid to take risks in his career playing characters that are unlikeable. An actor with a commitment to his craft, Stoll has become an icon entertainment. Through his willingness to take risks in his career, Stoll has proven to be a beloved actor that audiences value. Although he had only made a few movies on his career, Stoll has often left a bold impression. Despite the fact that he has often played supporting roles in movies, Stoll has always left a strong impression in films. Throughout his enduring career, Stoll has made many movies that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Stoll and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Midnight in Paris” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2011, Woody Allen’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about Paris. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Corey Stoll, who portrays a legendary painter roaming in the city. Ultimately, what makes “Midnight in Paris” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Paris, it discusses powerful themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about Paris, there are many strong reasons why “Midnight in Paris” is a commemorated movie worth seeing.
Set in modern Paris, “Midnight in Paris” tells the story of a writer that finds himself going back to the past at midnight. Owen Wilson portrays Gil, an aspiring screenwriter with a love for writing stories. Gil has always had a love for roaming the streets of Paris during the time of midnight. Assisted by his fiancée Inez (Rachel McAdams), Gil embarks on a trip to the city of Paris. However, Gil’s life changes when he begins seeing visions of artists from the 1920’s in his head. Excited to meet artists such as Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll), Gil is given a chance to find a way. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Gil starts to wonder whether it’s possible for him to be a renowned author. Seeking stories to publish, Gil wonders whether he will ever be able to settle down in a city he has grown to cherish.
Woody Allen is fascinated with lives of writers. A legendary filmmaker, Allen has often made memorable films about neurotic writers. With “Midnight in Paris”, however, he took upon his first Paris drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of screenwriters roaming the streets of Paris causing disaster, but he succeeded tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Allen captures an artist that seeks to discover his identity in a French city. Allen effectively uses real-life locations across Paris capturing the beauty of a European city. For instance, the real-life locations enhance the Paris tourism scene. During this heartfelt scene, Gil and Inez embark on a trip to witness tourist sites in Paris. Through using real-life locations, Allen honours a city that audiences value. Paris is a tricky city to shoot movies in. As Richard Linklater’s “Before Sunset” proved clearly, locations in Paris enhance romantic movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Allen captures the hardships which artists in Paris are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Midnight in Paris” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Allen effectively uses costumes to capture the tensions writers in Paris are facing. Throughout the film, Allen uses costumes to showcase personalities of celebrated artists. For instance, costumes elevate the midnight trip scene. During this unforgettable scene, Gil is beyond excited when he stumbles across famous artists in Paris that he has always appreciated. One admires commemorated costumes worn by Ernest Hemingway honouring the legacy of a legendary artist that is beloved today. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. The music is key to the success of the film. It gives the film warm atmosphere honouring a city about which people deeply care. Through phenomenal production design, Allen honours a commemorated city that has never lost its abilities to shine.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Midnight in Paris” is a film about Paris that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dialogue to capture the lives of writers that love Paris. Throughout the movie, Allen uses dialogue to capture tension which writers in Paris are facing. Allen has aptitude for writing compelling dialogue about writers facing danger, and “Midnight in Paris” proved his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, dialogue elevates the Salvador Dali scene. During this unforgettable scene, Gil is excited when he has an in-depth conversation with Salvador Dali. One appreciates dramatic monologues that capture the lives of artists showing a strong fascination with Paris. Dramatic monologues are a tricky technique to use in movies. As Stephen Frears’ “The Queen” suggested, dramatic monologues elevate commemorated films about the royal family. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a stunning screenplay, Allen celebrates a legendary city that is beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Corey Stoll delivers one of his finest career performances as Ernest Hemingway. Stoll earned appreciation for playing comic book villains in iconic blockbusters. With “Midnight in Paris”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a renowned artist in French history but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Stoll has often had an aptitude for playing emotional heroes that face pressured and “Midnight in Paris” proved his strength as an actor. With bold expression, he captures the angst, passion and charisma of a legendary artist. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
Owen Wilson is outstanding as a writer with a huge sense of imagination that regards Paris with affection. Wilson has always excelled at playing characters with a passionate nature, and “Midnight in Paris” showcased his finest strength as an actor. Whether he’s excited by the prospect of meeting artists he loves dearly or seeking to discover streets of Paris, Wilson uses his strong body language to create a commemorated character that’s compelling. It’s a remarkable performance from one of the most celebrated actors today.
The supporting cast is sensational and also worthy of praise. Adrien Brody is amazing, capturing the larger than life personality of a famous painter in French history. Rachel McAdams is magnificent, capturing stressful tension faced by a woman in a marriage that begins to crumble. Lastly, Michael Sheen merits appreciation. As an American tourist that adores Paris, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Midnight in Paris” will earn everyone’s appreciation for capturing the beauty of a city at midnight. Unlike most movies about Paris, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. The film discusses strong themes including writing, identity and marriage which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Paris to appreciate it. It delivers a bold message about importance of finding identity which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Midnight in Paris” is one of those rare films about Paris everyone will adore.
Fans of Corey Stoll will definitely appreciate “Midnight in Paris” and so will movie-goers seeking heartfelt entertainment. A captivating classic about Paris, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about intelligent writers roaming the streets of Paris in search of ideas that are engaging at midnight, it’s a riveting reminder of a bright actor that has built a lasting legacy achieving a huge fan following for his extraordinary abilities to portray compelling characters that fight obstacles in commemorated movies which have definitely earned the spotlight.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 