- Film Review
- Reviewed By Trevor Johnston
-
4 out of 5
A Hollywood hack struggling with his first novel finds magical inspiration in the French capital in this whimsical time-travelling comedy from Woody Allen. Owen Wilson is unexpected casting in the central role, yet proves utterly delightful as the befuddled scribe who can't quite confess to his shrewish fiancée (Rachel McAdams) he's been zapping back to the 1920s to spend his evenings with Hemingway and F Scott Fitzgerald - Americans in Paris during a more gilded age. With alluring artist's muse Marion Cotillard giving Wilson cause to ponder a permanent move to the past, the story weaves culturally savvy laughter with romantic yearning, all the while affectionately questioning whether it really would have been more fulfilling to live in an era when true artistic giants walked among us. Yes, it helps to know the literary and painterly references, but Allen's deliciously dotty plot construction ensures that seriousness never takes over. Indeed, right from the gorgeous opening montage of Paris street scenes, this is the most sustained and purely enjoyable movie he's made in 15 years. Bravo, monsieur Woody!
Plot Summary
An American writer visits Paris with his fiancee, and tries unsuccessfully to persuade her to move to there. He goes for a walk at midnight and magically journeys into the Bohemian past, but as he falls in love with the city, he begins to lose sight of how important his relationship is. Woody Allen's Oscar-winning fantasy comedy, with Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Michael Sheen.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Gil
- Owen Wilson
- Adriana
- Marion Cotillard
- Inez
- Rachel McAdams
- Paul
- Michael Sheen
- Gert
- Kathy Bates
- Mr Fitzgerald
- Tom Hiddleston
- Salvador
- Adrien Brody
- Museum guide
- Carla Bruni
- Ernest
- Corey Stoll
- John
- Kurt Fuller
- Helen
- Mimi Kennedy
- Gabrielle
- Léa Seydoux
- Ms Fitzgerald
- Alison Pill
Crew
- Director
- Woody Allen
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