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#51

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 9:15am

henrik---I should have qualified my "Woody should have played this part" comment. Certainly not Woody today. Way too creepy, unless the fiancee was age appropriate or at least of the same half-century as Allen. I just meant the role was clearly suited for him as an actor and with his own quirky traits. Not some poor changeling schmuck trying to mimic them badly.

He always seems to write a "Woody" role in his movies, whether he's in them or not. And I much preferred John Cusack's approach to that role in Bullets Over Broadway, especially since he didn't do an Allen imitation, but still captured all the anxiety and desperation that comes with the part. And Cusack was younger and cuter. The best thing about him is that, as an actor, he's a great listener and observer. Cusack plays "observers" really well. That's what Allen himself does on screen. They comment mostly with their faces, not with the scripted dialogue. Just watch Cusack sitting on the park bench with Wiest. His reactions are pure heaven.

Same thing with Mighty Aphrodite. Watch Allen's reactions to Mira Sorvino. He doesn't say much at all, but his face says everything.

Owen Wilson doesn't seem to be listening to anybody in this movie. He just whines his dialogue and (badly) impersonates Mr. Allen. It was a giant "miss" for me.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 12/30/11 at 09:15 AM

#52

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 9:15am

It's not at all unusual to find it strange that two ill-suited people are together. It happens all the time both in life and at the movies.

In this instance, however, I had no problem. I could easily see them charming each other in their salad days. He's easygoing and successful. She's smart and sexy. And, no offense to the Angelinos, she's likely to be a hell of a lot more intellectual, worldly and sophisticated than a lot of the other women he's meeting in Hollywood.

#53

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 9:21am

She's smart and sexy. And, no offense to the Angelinos, she's likely to be a hell of a lot more intellectual, worldly and sophisticated than a lot of the other women he's meeting in Hollywood.

First of all, no, she's not smart and sexy. She's a complete idiot and a bitch. Strictly a dilettante. (I'm talking about the character.) There is nothing remotely "smart" about her. And no offense to non-Angelinos, but he'd be a hell of a lot better off with a total California bimbo who at least spoke truth in her monosyllabic drivel than one of these pseudo-intellectual creatures who is completely full of sh*t.

I did, however, think they deserved each other, even if they had zero chemistry. He was such a spineless schmuck, and she was a pretentious shrew. A match made in Hell, but perfect for each other.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 12/30/11 at 09:21 AM

#54

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 9:30am

I guess that was my other problem with the story. There's really no struggle or conflict. There's no reason for him to want to stay with his horrible fiancee or in the job that he hates. There's no sacrifice to make, because it's such a rotten life. Nothing is at stake.

I was also reminded that this film is basically an extended Twilight Zone episode. But I find most of them to say more and have more impact in a half-hour episode. There's even one with a man who travels back in time to a 1920s speakeasy. Pippa Scott was in it, as I recall. Very similar concept.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 12/30/11 at 09:30 AM

#55

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 9:30am

I didn't find her smart nor sexy either. At one point, he tried to get something going in bed but she was too interested in shopping (that's all she seemed to do here). She reminded me of too many women I know who are completely self centered and materialistic. Shallow.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#56

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 9:34am

I agree, Jane2. She's just a dilettante with no real opinions or thoughts of her own.

I think I would have found her character funny (even slightly) if I'd seen Owen reacting to her for what she is. He just seemed to be bouncing along with her, as if lobotomized. No humor in that situation at all.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#57

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 9:43am

Well she had to be a totally unlikable bitch if you were going to hope Wilson falls for Cotillard. And I love that it was McAdams who after bursting onto the scene as the ultimate "mean girl", has really turned into Americas Sweetheart and seeing her as a bitch again was a lot of fun (for me, at least).

#58

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 9:46am

She played the part well, such as it is. I have nothing bad to say about her performance. Only her character as it relates to Wilson's character and the story. The humor of her character lies in the situation. But since Wilson didn't really react to her, he just whined around her and rolled with her punches, I found it pathetic and frustrating ... but not funny.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 12/30/11 at 09:46 AM

#59

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 9:49am

Some cute moments and Owen Wilson turns out to be a pretty good Woody stand-in. Other than that, pretty dismissable.

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

#60

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 9:56am

I don't think I would be picking away at it if I'd liked Wilson in the lead. He didn't draw me in or hold my interest in the story, so I kept looking for faults instead of just going with it. There are some charming and funny moments (none of them his), and I liked the basic premise and the location.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#61

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 9:58am

But all on all you liked it, right?

#62

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 10:00am

All in all, not really.

I didn't hate it, though. Just very disappointed, because this idea had a lot of potential.

EDIT: I did like the basic message at the end, too (I won't spoil it, but it has to do with the perception of one's own era and situation in life).

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 12/30/11 at 10:00 AM

#63

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 10:04am

Well not everything can be as good as MOM AND DAD SAVE THE WORLD.

#64

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 10:13am

I didn't see McAdams as being half the bitch or idiot that some of you did, but that's beside the point. I was talking about the way she would have seemed to him before tehy decided to get married, and I had no problem seeing her as someone who impressed a potential mate, let alone one as malleable as Wilson, as being bright and charming, with her shallowness and self-centered qualities emerging later on. It happens, you know.

But even that's beside the point. Romantic comedies have a long tradition of the wrong man or woman the heroine or hero is about to marry, and they are often a lot more annoying, idiotic and bitchy than the one in evidence here. It's a convention of the form, with, as Jordan suggests, the fiance's unattractive qualities making the protagonist's vulnerability to the new love interest not only forgivable but a cause for the audience's enthusiasm.

#65

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 4:27pm

I'd sum up my thoughts of the film this way-it lacked charm. The premise had promise (lol) but because of the direction, writing and Owen Wilson, there was not much of anything happening.

I'm a Woody Allen fan, too. Usually.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

Updated On: 12/30/11 at 04:27 PM

#66

Midnight in Paris

Posted: 12/30/11 at 4:47pm

I'm waiting for the "Frasier"-themed porn version, "Midnight in Maris," starring Kelsey Hammer, David Hyde Pierced, and Jane Sleeves.

CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES

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