Now i know i am writing about yet another Woody Allen film, but i couldn't help it. Midnight in Paris is quite possibly his most beautiful film to date and i really wanted to share it with you. This nostalgic portrayal of Allen's love affair with Paris is definitely his most stylish film yet.
There is so much about this film that made me fall in love with it. Firstly, the cast is incredible. Owen Wilson has been perfectly cast in the lead and it is so refreshing to see the usually wholesome Rachel McAdams playing a dispassionate, bland bitch. Marion Cotillard firmly became one of my favourite actresses after her performance in La Vie En Rose and once again she plays her character, this time an artists' muse, Adriana perfectly. I also feel i should give Alison Pill a special mention for her portrayal of Zelda Fitzgerald. Pill is relatively unknown to me but her, energy, passion and hearty performance have established her as an actress i will thereafter look out for. Although she had a relatively minor role, hers was definitely my favourite performance of the film. I guess though that Zelda Fitzgerald would be a dream character for any actress to get their teeth into.
Secondly, i love this film as i can really empathise with the characters of Gil and Adriana. I am definitely a person who wishes they had been born earlier; that i would have thrived during the 1920s or the 1960s for example. The film's message that every era is a golden era really struck a chord with me. We are living during a golden age now and we should make the most of it. Our descendants will look back and wish that they had lived during 2011 and dressed like us.
Thirdly, this film is so beautiful. Everything from the cinematography to the costumes, to the sets is spot on. The period costumes, designed by Sonia Grande, don't make the actors look awkward, they look comfortable and just as i imagine they would have. The 1920s costumes in particular are amazing. They are glamorously bohemian and incredibly stylish. This film would be my dream as a costume designer. You'd get to design a little bit of everything. Not only that, but the end product is bound to be incredibly stylish, as you are dressing incredibly stylish people. Characters include the Fitzgeralds, Hemmingway, Dali, Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec and Adriana (a fictitious artists' muse). These people were all truly artistic icons of their time and are bound to be exciting and inspiring.
The only thing i wasn't quite sure about was some of the clothing choices that were made for McAdams' character Ines. In keeping with her character it appears that she is entirely clad in designer wear; Chanel, Dior, Hermes etc. I can see why this was done but i fear that here the large production budget may have stilted Grande's incredible flair and creativity.
Also, kudos to whoever designed the poster. It is a perfect reflection and accompaniment to the film.
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