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Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Carla Bruni ... see more see more... , Adrien Brody , Michael Sheen , Corey Stoll , Mimi Kennedy , Tom Hiddleston , Kurt Fuller , Alison Pill , Nina Arianda , Léa Seydoux , Adrien de Van , Gad Elmaleh

This is a romantic comedy set in Paris about a family that goes there because of business, and two young people who are engaged to be married in the fall have experiences there that change their lives... read more read more.... It's about a young man's great love for a city, Paris, and the illusion people have that a life different from theirs would be much better. It stars Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, Carla Bruni, among others. -- (C) Sony Classics

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82% liked it

65,126 ratings

Critics

93% liked it

196 critics

DVD Release Date: December 20, 2011

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Flixster Reviews (8,084)


  • May 18, 2012
    If I were to sit back and reflect upon this film, I could easily see the threads that hold it together - the one trick pony of its gimmick and the tired love/not love story that is holding the center (a theme we've seen a million times before, not to mention several times by Wood... read morey himself).

    But.... And my, that's a very large but - while you are watching the film you are swept away by the lovely whimsy - the romance for a city and for a time and place - the romantic notion that sometimes something magical can happen; and that is not only by definition but by inference, ART. That this film is marginally about art and what art has to say (while being in and of itself a bit of art), is half the fun.

    The other half of the fun is seeing who will turn up next. Not going to spoil the surprise of the film's gimmick, just mention that I enjoyed every minute of it. The film even gets high marks for remaining sweet and somewhat sentimental, even while presenting the argument (in a beautifully compelling way) that we all think that the grass is greener. Perhaps this resonates well with me, as I have all but abandoned popular music while still being mightily impressed by the creative output of the 60's and 70's of my youth.

    The true beauty here is the film's pacing and style. Beautifully filmed with lot's of indirect yellow lighting, making the city of light seem wonderfully surreal - which is part and parcel of the script. Wonderful performances abound - especially in some of the lesser, near cameo roles (Adrian Brody comes to mind, playing the character billed only as Salvador). Of course at the film's center is Owen Wilson, who channels the humor and neurosis of Woody perfectly.

    In conclusion, if you want to sit back and analize the film, you can certainly poke some holes in it - but I don't think that the film will allow you to do so while watching it - unless you don't believe in magic, you'll be swept along - so just sit back and let this film wash over you... to quote a lyric from MY favorite time - "turn off your mind, relax and float downstream".
  • May 16, 2012
    Full review coming soon.
  • May 9, 2012
    Cast: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Michael Sheen, Adrien Brody, Kathy Bates, Carla Bruni, Gad Elmaleh, Kurt Fuller

    Director: Woody Allen

    Summary: In this charming romantic comedy, legendary director Woody Allen focuses his lens on an engaged young couple whos... read moree experiences traveling together in Paris make them begin to question the kind of life they want to live.

    My Thoughts: "I guess I am one of the few who thought the film was visually beautiful but terribly boring. The strolls around paris was a great part of the film because of the beautiful surroundings. I did enjoy some of the character's, like Kathy Bates as Gert, Corey Stroll as Ernest and Adrien Brody as Salvador. Rachel and Michael play very annoying characters in this film. I didn't care for either of them. Midnight was the best part of the film. The rest wasn't needed. It has a great cast, no doubt. But I got bored with the film very quickly and couldn't wait for it to be over with. It was a miss for me."
  • May 3, 2012
    Beautifully funny with really quirky story that's both uniquely honest and remarkably charming.
  • March 26, 2012
    I think Midnight in Paris is quite self-indulgent of Woody Allen, it certainly feels personal. This is a good thing in my book and the reason why it's so good - easily the best he's made since his last real self-indulgent film, Sweet & Lowdown. There are 3 different types of Wood... read morey Allen film though, there's the all out comedy, the romantic comedy where the comedy is more subtle and the then there are the films he directs but doesn't star in - or at least, someone else plays him (In this case, Owen Wilson). Sometimes these cross over but when they work they work, when they don't they are horrible. It's odd how someone can make such an awful film like You will meet a tall dark stranger one year, and Midnight in Paris the next but what he has essentially don't is mixed the three main components of his films together and has eased off the stuff the audiences obviously don't like as much. I thought it was great, I loved it. I think his follow up should be a comedy biopic of Dali played by Adrien Brody, fat chance but wouldn't it be great.
  • March 24, 2012
    To say the very least, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS is by far one of the best films made in 2011. It takes a certain knowledge and appreciation of Woody Allen to understand the poetic humor put on display, but one who can appreciate that different type of humor will surely find this to be ... read moremore than just an enjoyable romantic comedy. One who has that sense of humor will understand how utterly hilarious this truly is.

    Ranked #5 of 2011.

    Full Review: http://wp.me/p1Urcx-zE
  • March 9, 2012
    Midnight in Paris, is a charming, frothy confection, for fans of Woody Allen, 20th century American literature and Paris. I am happy that Woody has the biggest hit of his directing career with this one, (I'm not sure why).

    It's the story of Gil, a time travelling Paris-o-phil... read moree author played by Owen Wilson, who for unexplained reasons, travels back to the 1920s and meets every famous artist by sheer luck (Hemmingway, the Fitzgeralds, Cole Porter, PIcasso, Dali, Gertrude Stein, and many others. Wilson is uhappily engaged to shallow harpy Inez, (Rachel McAdams, playing an uncharacteristic return to her mean girl, all grown up and 30 something) In the 20s, he falls in love with PIcasso's girlfriend (Marion Cotillard).

    It's fun, full of terrific comic turns, looks wonderful (Paris as an HD picture postcard) has some very amusing little impersonations of iconic artists (look for the scene stealing Cory Stoll as Hemingway, and hammy Adrien Brody as Dali). Look for France's first lady Carla Bruni as the guide at the Rodin museum.

    Midnight.... is ultimately about very little of substance except one interesting point: why are we all nostalgic for an idealized past that was never really ideal? That point, tackled with imagination and wit, is thin, and not enough to give this movie gravitas and purpose.

    Woody won a best original screenplay Oscar for his efforts, but the writing is self-conciously chatty and the characters all seem to speak in Woody's voice, especially Owen Wilson, California surfer drawl and all. He's fun to watch, though a bit of a one trick pony, his iconic character works well in this role and has the audience's sympathies. Cotillard plays a more complex character, but the movie cheats her of a real pay off, stranding her in the belle epoque 1890's (her dream nostalgia period) with no real resolution.

    Still for me, it was a delightful and tasty romp, and well worth a look. That said, even latter-day, 21st century Woody films like Vicky Christina Barcelona and Match Point are much more substantial and satisfying films (the less said about Scoop or Whatever Works the better), that I do wonder why this particular one hit pay dirt for Mr. Konigsberg. But., hey.. whatever works.
  • March 1, 2012
    Forgive my terminology but this is writer's porn. This was one of the most clever and entertaining film to come out in a while. The script was amazing. Woody Allen proves he's still got it and I would argue is getting better. I do think this film would have been better suited... read more to star 80's Woody Allen as the lead actor but Owen Wilson who has a similar domineer (Minus being jewish) did do a good job and I'm glad to see him doing more serious films and be taken more seriously by critics. Corey Stoll and Marion Cotillard were the real stand outs in my opinion. They had the most believable performances and I feel snubs durring award season. I would recommend this to people who enjoy clever writing but not for the modern movie goer. Sadly most people who go to the movies wouldn't give this film the respect it deserves. Bravo Woody bravo.
  • fb1664868775
    February 27, 2012
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    One of the most enjoyable and delightful of Allen's films to me. Wilson was great as Woody Allen as well.
  • February 26, 2012
    Owen Wilson is phenomenal in this very charming, light hearted film. I loved his interactions with the past and how they affected his present. The setting is just beautiful, it makes you wan't to travel to Paris.The film had a great message about how we human beings would love to... read more go back in time and be in a different era, because we think things were better. But though it is a great film, it is not the greatest of 2011. Overall, I would probably recommend this film if you enjoy light hearted comedies or if you would like a movie with an imagination.

Critic Reviews


Tom Long
June 10, 2011
Tom Long, Detroit News

Midnight in Paris is a loving embrace of the city, of art and of life itself. Full Review

Rick Groen
June 3, 2011
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Our hero has found his groove among the Lost Generation and, for us, there's some amusement to be had in sharing Gil's thrills -- it's like stepping into a Classic Comics version of A Moveable Feast. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
June 3, 2011
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Midnight in Paris is charming and clever, at times wickedly astute and hopeful. Full Review

David Thomson
June 3, 2011
David Thomson, New Republic

Woody Allen attracts promising players and does nothing with them. Full Review

Gary Thompson
June 3, 2011
Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Inquirer

There is breezy comedy to be made of a YouTube-age writer meeting the icons and idols of a bygone, classical era, but Allen goes deeper, expanding on his time-travel device to make unexpected and unex... Full Review

J. R. Jones
June 2, 2011
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

I find this upfront fantasy to be his funniest, most agreeable comedy in years. Full Review

Chris Vognar
June 2, 2011
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

Woody Allen's beleaguered heroes have never been reluctant to indulge in a little fantasy to get what they want. Full Review

Peter Howell
June 2, 2011
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

It succeeds because Allen's muse is completely activated, unlike last year's time-waster You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, in which thought ran no deeper than the title joke. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
June 2, 2011
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

What's Wilson doing in a Woody Allen movie about a B-list screenwriter who time-travels from the present to the Jazz Age? Disarming the audience with his wistful joie de vivre, that's what. Full Review

Roger Moore
June 1, 2011
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

"Midnight in Paris" may not be as laugh-out-loud witty as the comedies of Woody Allen's professional Belle Epoque. But it at least recaptures the warm glow so often missing from his last 20 uneven yea... Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts


    • Gert: Gertrude Stein: The artist's job is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence.
    • Ernest: I believe that love that is true and real, creates a respite from death. All cowardice comes from not loving, or not loving well, which is the same thing. And then the man who is brave and true looks death squarely in the face, like some rhino-hunters I know, or Belmonte, who is truly brave. It is because they make love with sufficient passion, to push death out of their minds, until it returns, as it does, to all men. And then you must make really good love again.
    • Gil: We don't have the big things in common, but we have the little things. For example, we both like Indian food. Well, not all Indian food, but the pita bread. We both like pita bread.
    • Gabrielle: By the way, my name is Gabrielle.
    • Gil: I'm Gil, nice to meet you. It's a pretty name.
    • Gil: This is unbelievable! Look at this! There's no city like this in the world. There never was.
    • Inez: You act like you've never been here before.
    • Gil: I don't get here often enough, that's the problem. Can you picture how drop dead gorgeous this city is in the rain? Imagine this town in the '20s. Paris in the '20s, in the rain. The artists and writers!
    • Inez: Why does every city have to be in the rain? What's wonderful about getting wet?
    • Adriana: I can never decide whether Paris is more beautiful by day or by night.
    • Gil: No, you can't, you couldn't pick one. I mean I can give you a checkmate argument for each side. You know, I sometimes think, how is anyone ever gonna come up with a book, or a painting, or a symphony, or a sculpture that can compete with a great city. You can't. Because you look around and every street, every boulevard, is its own special art form and when you think that in the cold, violent, meaningless universe that Paris exists, these lights, I mean come on, there's nothing happening on Jupiter or Neptune, but from way out in space you can see these lights, the cafe, people drinking and singing. For all we know, Paris is the hottest spot in the universe.

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