Happy Friday everyone. I would like to thank all of you for stopping by for the Film/novel blogfest. It was a hoot!
Since I'm all revved up from fantastic films, I'd like to let you all know about a film I saw last week. I NEVER do film reviews, but I just had to for this particular one. It calls to ALL artists and writers. And it called to me on BOTH levels since I'm both.
I'm not sure if many of you heard about MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, but it has been out for a while. I kept putting it off for one reason or another but I am SO glad I was able to see in on the big screen. I hope to see it again this weekend.
The film opens with gorgeous pictures of Paris with the suitable classic French music piped along each scene. For any of you who have been to Paris you will recognize all the sights. I haven't been there since I was a teen in the very early eighties, and I still remembered it all.
I had no idea what the film was about. Since it is a Woody Allen film, and I am not particularly fond of him, I went not expecting much, even though I heard it was wonderful. Thankfully he is NOT in it. Sorry all you WA fans.
The first scene opens with Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams discussing their future wedding. They had visited Paris to shop for their future home. Her parents were also visiting with them. These character were portrayed very stereotypically. Not one endearing quality. Even Owen wasn't all that great, BUT his character was unlike the others.
What makes this film so awesome is the story line. Owen is a Hollywood hack, screen play writer working on his first novel .... hmmm, I bet that got your attention? He falls in love with Paris and wants to move there. His fiance' wants NO part of it and is only interested in shopping and boffing her now-it-all girlfriend's husband.
After the two couples have dinner and get a bit drunk, his fiance' wants to go dancing and Owens doesn't. He wants to walk down the streets of Paris and drink in all the ambiance for inspiration. Typically the couple and his fiance leave him and he begins in journey.
Still a bit drunk, he gets lost and sits down on a set of marble stairs. And this is where the story begins...
On the last stoke of Midnight, a classic Rolls Royce appears. The people inside beckon to him. Confused he remains seated until one gentlemen opens the door and exits the car.
"Let's go.... We are partying tonight," the gent says.
Before you know it Owen is whisked away into another world ... 1920's Paris. At a party he meets several of the literary figures of the time: Fitzgerald and even Hemingway.
Amazed, Owens figures out this is somehow real.... at least in his imagination.
This is one of several AMAZING flashbacks into the Golden Age of Paris. Between the costumes, architectural sets, and the literary and artistic characters themselves including, Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso, this film nourishes all our dreams of living at another time. Admit it, how many times have you felt you were born in the wrong era and wanted to live at another time?
Apparently EVERY writer and artist believes this. It is our escape from reality. The message was LOUD AND CLEAR and BRILLIANT.
I don't wish to spoil it for you by telling you any more. JUST GO SEE IT! I PROMISE ... YOU WILL LOVE IT! Just ignore most of the present scenes. They are not at all great, but necessary to build up his magical visits to the past.
Well everyone have a great weekend. I'd love to know what you've got planned. Let me know.
Since I'm all revved up from fantastic films, I'd like to let you all know about a film I saw last week. I NEVER do film reviews, but I just had to for this particular one. It calls to ALL artists and writers. And it called to me on BOTH levels since I'm both.
I'm not sure if many of you heard about MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, but it has been out for a while. I kept putting it off for one reason or another but I am SO glad I was able to see in on the big screen. I hope to see it again this weekend.
The film opens with gorgeous pictures of Paris with the suitable classic French music piped along each scene. For any of you who have been to Paris you will recognize all the sights. I haven't been there since I was a teen in the very early eighties, and I still remembered it all.
I had no idea what the film was about. Since it is a Woody Allen film, and I am not particularly fond of him, I went not expecting much, even though I heard it was wonderful. Thankfully he is NOT in it. Sorry all you WA fans.
The first scene opens with Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams discussing their future wedding. They had visited Paris to shop for their future home. Her parents were also visiting with them. These character were portrayed very stereotypically. Not one endearing quality. Even Owen wasn't all that great, BUT his character was unlike the others.
What makes this film so awesome is the story line. Owen is a Hollywood hack, screen play writer working on his first novel .... hmmm, I bet that got your attention? He falls in love with Paris and wants to move there. His fiance' wants NO part of it and is only interested in shopping and boffing her now-it-all girlfriend's husband.
After the two couples have dinner and get a bit drunk, his fiance' wants to go dancing and Owens doesn't. He wants to walk down the streets of Paris and drink in all the ambiance for inspiration. Typically the couple and his fiance leave him and he begins in journey.
Still a bit drunk, he gets lost and sits down on a set of marble stairs. And this is where the story begins...
On the last stoke of Midnight, a classic Rolls Royce appears. The people inside beckon to him. Confused he remains seated until one gentlemen opens the door and exits the car.
"Let's go.... We are partying tonight," the gent says.
Before you know it Owen is whisked away into another world ... 1920's Paris. At a party he meets several of the literary figures of the time: Fitzgerald and even Hemingway.
Amazed, Owens figures out this is somehow real.... at least in his imagination.
This is one of several AMAZING flashbacks into the Golden Age of Paris. Between the costumes, architectural sets, and the literary and artistic characters themselves including, Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso, this film nourishes all our dreams of living at another time. Admit it, how many times have you felt you were born in the wrong era and wanted to live at another time?
Apparently EVERY writer and artist believes this. It is our escape from reality. The message was LOUD AND CLEAR and BRILLIANT.
I don't wish to spoil it for you by telling you any more. JUST GO SEE IT! I PROMISE ... YOU WILL LOVE IT! Just ignore most of the present scenes. They are not at all great, but necessary to build up his magical visits to the past.
Well everyone have a great weekend. I'd love to know what you've got planned. Let me know.
13 comments:
Would love to see this but we have a pretty limited selection of films :)
I'll check it out on NetFlix when it hits.
I loved this movie. I'm surprised it took you so long to go and see it. Shame on you.
I would have completely passed this up without your review of it. It sounds excellent! And I love Owen Wilson so I'm putting this on my list of movies to watch. Thank you!
And thank you for the link on your sidebar to my Tour Of Secrets, that's so sweet of you! :)
This was an excellent, engrossing, and truly entertaining film. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD to be able to re-watch it over and over, Roland
I hadn't heard of this, but I'm so glad you mentioned it. It sounds right up my alley!
I'm a huge Woody Allen fan and, although this wasn't my favorite of his work, I did enjoy it. I also love, love, loved the shots of Paris. I lived there for two years after college, so Paris always has a romantic glow for me.
Great review! I had not even heard of this film!
Guess I'll have to check it out!
If it's Woody Allen, then I bet it's quirky.
Oh, you definitely got my attention with the screen play writer role! And j'adore Paree! So a must see for me.
Thank so much for the review and have a fabulous weekend! xo
I'm not a massive fan of Woody, either - I can't stand his muddled, muttering characters and dialogue. but I do love Paris and since you've written such an interesting review, I might just give it a try!
Sounds interesting. Maybe I'll look into it...
<3 a newb follower
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