OK for kids 14+
Jaunty romcom mines adult themes of marriage and career.
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.
- 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?
The good stuff
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Messages: True joy comes in finding something you love and actually doing it and through questioning it in the process. Also: Relationships that don't affirm your essence have an uphill climb. In short, pick someone who can share your bliss.
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Role models: He may be meandering in disposition, but there's something to admire in a guy like Gil, who still holds hope for love and all that dreamy jazz.
What to watch for
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Violence: No violent scenes; some talk of bull fighting and war.
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Sex: Couples flirt and kiss. An engaged man declares his interest in a woman who's not his fiancee. A woman admits to infidelity. Discussion about how one character has slept with many men.
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Language: Infrequent use of words like "hell" "damn," and "oh my God."
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Consumerism: Some high-end labels, like Dior and Chopard, are seen on shopping bags and such, and they imply one family's wealth.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some of the characters date back to the gin- and bourbon-soaked 1920s, and they're shown swilling their nights away. One character is so inebriated that she threatens to drown herself. Several characters smoke.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Delightful! by yeshka14
Woody Allen is back! We smiled throughout the entire movie - love, love, loved it!
5
Romantic, fun, cultural and intellectual as well! by fan87
I love the movie! It brought back my souvenir of Paris. The beginning snapshots of street life in Paris quickly lure the audience into the romantic setting and bring out the main theme of the move. The film combines all the elements of romance, fun, culture and intellectualism. Travel in times brings the movie to the next level. Like usual, Woody Allen's main characters are unique, witty, intellectual, playful, romantic, and nostalgic. Out of the cast, Owen Wilson is doing a good job in playing as a lovable fiancée who has a writer's dream but is not appreciated by his practical girl friend and future in-laws. He blend his insouciant yet earnest charm and eccentric comic sense into to the character and it works beautifully. Other shining characters are the charming performance of French actress Marion Cotillard and Kathy Bates. Overall, the movie definitely worths going: it's one of the kinds among typical Hollywood movies that it stands out!
4
Do not see if you will never be able to go to Paris. by cfguthoff
I'm pretty sure 98% of the audience exclaims "Let's go to Paris!" after seeing this movie. I know I did. A charming story about idolizing the past, and learning to accept and enjoy your present. The saying is true, "The grass is always greener on the other side" and Allen's "Midnight in Paris" does a succinct and fun job of illustrating it to his audience. Warning though, the movie may make you want to punch Rachel McAdams in the face, and no one wants to feel like that!
Go and see it, specifically on a date night, you'll enjoy it.
4
Classic Woody Allen movie... without the humour by bethess
Now, I'm not saying this movie is not funny. It is! It has many moments of awkward humour marking it certainly as a Woody Allen film, but Midnight in Paris has a stronger bent to real human emotion wrapped in the package of the absurd. Midnight in Paris is akin to a piece of Fantasy/Science Fiction that plays with the notion that there are some people who live in the past. Not their own past, but in the longing of being in a different time period. Dealing with the thought that you were born in the wrong time and how it can rob you of your present and your future.
I thought some of the acting was good, especially those portraying the "historical" figures. Of course, the views of Paris are breathtaking and I cannot wait to visit one day myself.
4
Romantic and insightful by RandytheMovieFan
This is an antidote for those thinking the grass is always greener somewhere else, an insight into the mysteries of love and attraction, and an adoring poem to the city of Paris, complete with the first lady of France as a guide. Owen Wilson, who is physically the exact opposite of Woody Allen, nonetheless does an uncanny job channeling Woody's personality and mannerisms as the befuddled and bedazzled lead of this charming fantasy. The supporting cast was fine, though most were not given much to do, with the highlight being Corey Stoll as the larger-than-life Hemingway. Great for a date night and could be the cleanest PG-13 movie you'll ever see.
4
Midnight in Paris high noon for Woody by everyweek60706
This is Woody Allen's biggest commercial success and he won an Oscar for the screenplay. It's not Annie Hall (1977) or Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), nor is it Sleeper. I went to this three times to get a complete copy, if you see what I mean. In a fascinating two hour interview on PBS (2011) Mr. Allen says he has never sought commercial success and somehow commercial success has eluded him. Maybe just as well. I remember laughing hysterically at Bananas (1973), and Sleeper(1971), and Manhatten (1979) is for me about as full of memborable lines as Casablanca. Midnight in Paris is a great opportunity to exercise your liberal arts education and does a nice job of bringing the '20's art scene to life. I loved the old car and found the modern in-laws believeable, but overall it just doesn't seem very interesting or worthwhile.
5
Midnight in PaRIS by wkr@themovies
Never knowing what to expect from Woody Allen, he has topped many of his own classics....the scenery, the music, the total magic of Paris is wrapped up in the filming and the plot. A feel good story that takes you far into your own imagination along with Mr Allan's', and challenges your knowledge of historical celebrity in a clever and engaging way.....this is one i would like to own! Definitely a Best Movie candidate!
5
Saw it twice! Can't wait to add it to my personal collection! by joquee
I rarely pay to see a movie twice in theaters but I couldn't help myself with Midnight in Paris! Although I do not think it will get an invite to the Academy Awards I do considerate a must see!
A great story about finding romanticism in life. The movie infuses comedy and romance in an intriguing adventure in the most romantic city in the world. If you are a connoisseur of classic literature of the romantic period you will appreciate this film all the more. The allusions are successfully executed through the writing and acting that those who may be less familiar with literature need not dismay. The acting and cinematography quality is good enough to make the film successful but not good enough to get a nod from the Academy.
Overall, I have to say this is the best "feel good" movie I have seen in a long time. Any movie that will make me pay those ridiculous theater ticket prices is a must see!
4
In the moody for whimsy? by SoloRojoTito
I will not write a plot synopsis. I will state simply that this was a sweet tale of a middle-aged man who is a bit lost and finds inspiration in reliving the past with his literary and artistic heros. The characters were a little too stereotypical. While I have no idea how this got a best picture nomination, I did enjoy the film. Could easily wait to see it on Netfix.
5
A Beautiful Time by popcorn_soda
After watching this film I feel shamefully ignorant of classic art and literature. It's refreshing to know there are people today who can speak the languages of art and romance. Something inside allows them to feel and understand the past and freshly carry it into the present. Luke is misunderstood and unappreciated by everyone around him. Happily, he finds friends with his same mindset, with the same values and open heart. I want to jump into the screen and join these people! I'm inspired now to study the great works of those who lived in times before me.