When it comes to Woody Allen films, it's always interesting to hear people's opinions about each of his films. A few that I think are overrated most people seem to like, and vice versa. There always seems to be different opinions about each film he makes literally every year. It was finally this year that I came upon no harsh criticism at all on this latest film of his. From what I heard, apparently no one hates it; it did extremly well at the Cannes film festival; and that it's become his highest grossing film of all time. Obviously after reading upon that information, I knew I had to check it out myself to see if the hype was true if it was TRULY one of his best. I am happy enough to confirm that it is. Here's my review:
Surprisingly, I've always thought one of Woody Allen's best genres was fantasy. This film is a perfect example of how to mix in smart comedy with that genre. Owen Wilson plays Gil, another personification of the character Woody Allen always played in his early films. He's a writer moving from screenplays to literature who becomes heavily facinated with the surroundings of Paris when visiting there to discuss marriage plans with his fiance Inez (Rachel McAdams), and her parents as well. The parents of course don't fully approve of Gil's personality because of his "facination" with life in Paris. His fiance, Inez also runs into an old friend of hers, Paul (Michael Sheen) who seems to act more rich and sophisticated than Gil when it comes to mannerisms and knowledge. As Gil becomes more bored with the marriage planning and Inez's "facination" of Paul, he decides to go for a walk at around the time of midnight in Paris. Later a car picks him up to where he begins to run into characters who seem fimiliar to historic figures of the 1920s. Gil later realizes that he went back in time after having an engaging conversation with F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda. As time goes back in the dawn of Paris, he later returns back to present time and has the urgency to go back again by waiting until midnight again. After realizing the power he has, he begins to adventure nightly making acquaintances with all these different historic people (mainly writers).
I'll leave the rest off at that point because since the movie's only an hour and a half long (like most Woody Allen films), I wouldn't want to give away too much detail. What I can say is that, (just like the hype is saying) this is truly one of Woody Allen's best films. I'm glad that most of his audiences are all coming to that same agreement and are going to see this in theaters helping Woody Allen's profit increase heavily. It wasn't since Hannah and Her Sisters that a Woody Allen film has grossed that much at the box office. I can only hope that the Oscars and Golden Globes can recognize this great piece of work and nominate the film that I believe could possibly be on the Top 10 of this year (along with Harry Potter and Super 8). The film has great pacing enough to where I was never bored for a second. It has terrific performances from the whole cast, especially from Corey Stoll who played Ernest Hemingway. I definitely think it's the best performance Owen Wilson's ever given and I may have a chance at a Golden Globe nomination in the Best Actor - Comedy/Musical category.
Of course the best of all is the writing and direction from Woody Allen. That man has never lost his touch when it comes to true original filmmaking. Even though he always has the same main character that usually he or any other similar to him has played, he always manages to create the most unique plots very different to his previous films. His direction is as great as his writing because he always knows what the right shots to use when it comes to defining the mood and moment of the character. I'm saying that from an overall aspect to his work, because he does make a new film literally every year. He's made few stinkers in my opinion, but only a few among 41 films he's made so far in his career. This among those 41 I must confirm again is one of his best. It has a great feeling to it and I believe Gil is one of those characters that almost everyone can relate to (including myself). I once again hope this gets recognized during awards season and doesn't get looked as another overlooked May/June release. Even if you're not a Woody Allen fan, I still recommend that you see this film, because you never know when you'll finally come to terms with his work, knowing he does it yearly.
***1/2
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