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Midnight in Paris
- Review Date: May 20, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Romance
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Jaunty romcom mines adult themes of marriage and career.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this imaginative romantic comedy, which represents a return to form for master filmmaker Woody Allen, includes some thematic material -- infidelity, professional boredom -- that may be too mature for younger teens. But given the movie's charming journey back to historic Paris and its lack of anything specifically risque, older teens may get a kick out of it. (Think of it as a witty history lesson.) There's smoking and drinking -- champagne, wine, and bourbon, especially in scenes depicting the roaring '20s.
What's the story?
On a trip to Paris with his jaded, pampered fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), Hollywood screenwriter Gil (Owen Wilson) grows enamored once more of what he dreams is a true writer's life: to live in Paris and finish his novel, preferably in a charming little flat overlooking the City of Lights. But Inez (and her conservative businessman dad and decorator's discount-wielding mom) wants none of that. Instead, she wants Gil to disabuse himself of the romance of suffering and embrace Hollywood and the generous cash flow it offers. She also wants them to spend more time with the pedantic professor (Michael Sheen) she once had a crush on and his wife, who happen to be in Paris, too. When one of Gil's nighttime strolls turns into a fantastical trip back in time, where he's hobnobbing with the likes of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald (Tom Hiddleston and Alison Pill), Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll), and Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates), Gil's longing for escape blossoms. Especially one that involves the alluring artists' muse Adriana (Marion Cotillard).
Is it any good?
Owen Wilson as the perfect Woody Allen leading man -- who knew? But that he is, at least in this fine and deeply satisfying film. As a romantic who's longing to finish his novel about nostalgia, Wilson at last finds a character that captures, without dumbing down, his flake-with-a-poetic-soul essence. It's about time. But enough about him -- and the perfectly cast supporting players. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS is a gift to Allen fans who may have begun to doubt their guru after years of uneven, sometimes-great, often-disappointing, creations. This film is such a delight. Intelligent, insightful, and inspired in ways that recall Allen's best movies (cue, yes, nostalgia), it's playful and absurd, evoking Annie Hall and The Purple Rose of Cairo, but it also firmly reminds us that Allen is as vital as ever, with so much still to say about art and love and quietly desperate moments, even if it comes wrapped in his ever-familiar box. (There's still the signature black background with white credits and the best jazz soundtrack.) Now, can he come back to New York?
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why so many movies, especially romantic ones, take place in Paris. What's the allure? Do films like this set up an unrealistic expectation of both Paris and love?
Many of Allen's movies examine a certain type of boredom that besets relationships. What do they say about relationships in general and, specifically, about the lulls and doubts that inevitably set in?
Are you familiar with any of Allen's early work? Which filmmakers have stood the test of time?
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AGE
Jaunty rom-com mines adult themes of marriage and career.
this imaginative romantic comedy, which represents a return to form for master filmmaker Woody Allen, includes some thematic material -- infidelity, professional ennui -- that may be too mature for younger teens. But given its charming journey back to historic Paris and its lack of anything specifically risque, older teens may get a kick out of it. (Think of it as a witty history lesson.) There's smoking and drinking -- champagne, wine, and bourbon, especially in scenes depicting the roaring 20s.
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AGE
A great dream destination
Paris is the place to fall in love. Like what you see in other movies. Something about how beautiful it is makes it a dream. If they stayed in the united states, they wouldn't sell much tickets because it would be boring. If you love traveling, this is a go.
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AGE
Artistic Comedy Better for Older Kids
This film is so much more intelligent than the average romcom. It's not cheesy, but instead, it has dazzling visuals of Paris, as well as a creative plot and pleasing cinematography. There is talk about infidelity, as well as suggestive material. Even though it's aimed at adults, I'd say that older kids can watch it, and that it mostly depends on maturity.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 7, 2012
AGE
A Certain Sophistication
My daughter was having trouble with the girls in a BBM chat group and declared that she wished that she was born in a different time where people had intelligent things to say and read good books and watched good movies. That evening we saw this movie and she was excited and relieved by the message. We loved the footage of Paris and she recognized many of the artists and writers in the film. For us is was a thrilling movie. It requires a certain sophistication when it comes to art and writers. My daughter is twelve and found this movie to be inspiring, reassuring and fun!!
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AGE
Boring
I'm sorry I couldn't watch the whole thing. I felt like I was watching high school students recite their lines--or making them up as they went along. The premise was interesting...
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AGE
fgd
Fantastic, well made Drama/Romcom is great but suprisingly.
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AGE
Midnight in paris is great
This movie is great great concept and laughter all the way
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AGE
AWESOME!!!!
Its really great i loved it i thought it would be all romancy and lovey. But its not really it think its cool how he goes back in time and stuff
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Kid, 11 years old
March 3, 2012
AGE
Midnight in Paris
This was a very good movie. It was about a guy who traveled back in time to be with iconic artists, writers, and actors. The only real problem was that there were a few references to 'making love' and some make-out scenes. Overall this was pretty much a clean movie. But some kids may not be mature enough to understand the content. It was worthy of it's Oscar nomination.
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| Studio: | Sony Pictures Classics |
| Director: | Woody Allen |
| Cast: | Marion Cotillard, Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams |
| Genre: | Romance |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 20, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | December 20, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some sexual references and smoking |
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