When I went to see Midnight in Paris with Travis a few weeks ago, I had no idea that a few hours later I would be voraciously searching for flights to Paris and asking..."how would you feel about not eating for two of the seven days we are there"? How could I have guessed that one silly little movie would make me want to quickly spend a cool 8 grand? No, folks, I am not made of money...but I do like to travel. And this movie completely and totally attacked my weaknesses.
Let me set the scene.
This is a movie by Woody Allen. I have never seen a Woody Allen movie. I'm not even sure if I spelled his name correctly. But, I was intrigued because I like Owen Wilson and like all straight men, Travis has a crush on Rachel McAdams. And I knew it was set in Paris. And then we watched this:
Hooked. Totally and completely hooked. I didn't even have to know the plot. That music and those still shots of the city were enough for me. Se we bought two tickets (in advance...who buys tickets AT the theater anymore? Anyone?) And we the youngest people in the theater by at least fifty years. Okay, maybe not fifty, but at least twenty. We were a bit skeptical.
And then, the movie started. The first three minutes are shots of Paris. Travel Porn is another name for that. Owen Wilson is ridiculously charming and Rachel McAdams is....Rachel McAdams. Equally charming.
And then the movie got a little silly. Actually a lot silly. If you don't like spoilers, stop reading right....NOW.
So Owen Wilson's character loves the ex-pat Parisian society from the 20's. You know, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Picasso, Gertrude Stein. And he fantasizes about meeting them in Paris. And then there is time travel and he really does meet them. Yep, that is what I said. Time travel. At first I was a little skeptical. Actually a lot skeptical. But then I just decided to go with it and it was awesome. Hemingway's character was spot on. He sounded like he was reading A Moveable Feast every time he spoke. Let me just say that this English teacher was in heaven.
Travis and I left the theater actually discussing flights to Paris. And if we had enough money in our bank account for a two week European vacation. That is how good this movie is. See it. It is charming and seductive and silly. Yes, all of those adjectives rolled into one movie. Also, it gives you the opportunity to vicariously travel to Paris when the weather is fantastic and you have a ton of money. Not like watching a Bourne movie that is always set in winter and makes you never want to visit Europe because you might get shot by a highly skilled sniper.
See this movie for nothing else but the scenery of Paris at all times of the day. It is glorious.
Let me set the scene.
This is a movie by Woody Allen. I have never seen a Woody Allen movie. I'm not even sure if I spelled his name correctly. But, I was intrigued because I like Owen Wilson and like all straight men, Travis has a crush on Rachel McAdams. And I knew it was set in Paris. And then we watched this:
Hooked. Totally and completely hooked. I didn't even have to know the plot. That music and those still shots of the city were enough for me. Se we bought two tickets (in advance...who buys tickets AT the theater anymore? Anyone?) And we the youngest people in the theater by at least fifty years. Okay, maybe not fifty, but at least twenty. We were a bit skeptical.
And then, the movie started. The first three minutes are shots of Paris. Travel Porn is another name for that. Owen Wilson is ridiculously charming and Rachel McAdams is....Rachel McAdams. Equally charming.
And then the movie got a little silly. Actually a lot silly. If you don't like spoilers, stop reading right....NOW.
So Owen Wilson's character loves the ex-pat Parisian society from the 20's. You know, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Picasso, Gertrude Stein. And he fantasizes about meeting them in Paris. And then there is time travel and he really does meet them. Yep, that is what I said. Time travel. At first I was a little skeptical. Actually a lot skeptical. But then I just decided to go with it and it was awesome. Hemingway's character was spot on. He sounded like he was reading A Moveable Feast every time he spoke. Let me just say that this English teacher was in heaven.
Travis and I left the theater actually discussing flights to Paris. And if we had enough money in our bank account for a two week European vacation. That is how good this movie is. See it. It is charming and seductive and silly. Yes, all of those adjectives rolled into one movie. Also, it gives you the opportunity to vicariously travel to Paris when the weather is fantastic and you have a ton of money. Not like watching a Bourne movie that is always set in winter and makes you never want to visit Europe because you might get shot by a highly skilled sniper.
See this movie for nothing else but the scenery of Paris at all times of the day. It is glorious.
Love Wilson and love love love McAdams. Good post! http://www.hulu.com/watch/1397/saturday-night-live-snl-digital-short-lazy-sunday
ReplyDeleteSHANNON!!! You have never seen a Woody Allen movie???
ReplyDeleteNo.
Not okay.
You need to see Vicky Christina Barcelona (which will make you want to go to Spain SO BADLY), Hannah & Her Sisters, and Annie Hall. I could tell you more that I think are brilliant, but I need to know that you'll actually do it. Annie Hall was the quintessential romantic comedy of the eighties, and single-handedly made Diane Keaton a Bona Fide Star. I think you would love it. Oh man. I'm so excited for you. Woody loves to make a movie purely as a love letter to a city. He's done a lot for the Travel Porn industry, believe you me! Glad you blogged about this.