Watch Midnight in Paris

Midnight in Paris is a romantic comedy-drama film from 2011, written and directed by Woody Allen, and starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, and Kathy Bates. The movie follows Gil Pender (played by Owen Wilson), a successful but disillusioned Hollywood screenwriter, who finds solace in exploring the streets of Paris, which he believes to be the city of his dreams.

Gil's fiancée Inez (played by Rachel McAdams), however, is less enthusiastic about the city and is more interested in using their time in Paris to mingle with her high society acquaintances. Inez and Gil are joined on their trip by her parents, who are also less than impressed with Gil's preoccupation with the past.

One night, while walking alone, Gil is mysteriously transported back in time to Paris in the 1920s, a time period he has always romanticized as the golden age of literature, art, and culture. As he wanders the streets, he encounters a host of iconic figures, including Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and Salvador Dali, among others.

As Gil becomes increasingly immersed in his time-traveling escapades, he begins to question his priorities and re-evaluate his relationships. He also finds himself growing closer to Adriana (played by Marion Cotillard), an attractive and enigmatic woman from the 1920s who captures his heart.

The film is a charming and whimsical tribute to Paris and the cultural icons who have made it an enduring symbol of artistic and intellectual excellence. Allen's direction is nostalgic and romantic, and Wilson's performance as the lovably neurotic Gil is both endearing and relatable.

Midnight in Paris is also a delightful exploration of the allure of the past, and the ways in which we often idealize and romanticize it to escape the limitations of the present. By juxtaposing the present-day Paris of Gil and Inez with the Paris of the 1920s, the film asks us to question our own relationship with history and to consider the ways in which our perceptions of the past shape our understanding of the present.

The supporting cast of the film is also outstanding, with Kathy Bates delivering a memorable turn as Gertrude Stein, and Adrien Brody stealing scenes as the flamboyant Salvador Dali. Rachel McAdams brings a needed dose of skepticism and cynicism to the film, and Marion Cotillard's performance as Adriana is both captivating and mysterious.

The cinematography and production design of the film are also noteworthy, capturing the beauty and grandeur of Paris through a nostalgic lens that celebrates its rich and diverse history. The soundtrack of Midnight in Paris features an eclectic mix of jazz, classical, and popular songs that evoke the film's myriad moods and tones.

Overall, Midnight in Paris is a delightful and charming film that captures the essence of Paris and the spirit of artistic creativity that has made it a cultural touchstone. With its lovable characters, witty humor, and romantic plot, it is a movie that will leave you feeling enlightened, inspired, and entertained.

Midnight in Paris is a 2011 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 81.