I first saw this Woody Allen film last year and was immediately a fan. I knew I just had to add it to my collection. It's a romantic comedy with a subtle twist of fantasy. I've seen it several times now and can say it's about as complete as a movie can get. It is cultural, romantic, historic, artistic, comedic, and sheer out entertaining from the start. It was nominated for many awards.I especially enjoy the film for it's homage to art, literature, and music. It captivates the imagination through it's beautiful setting of Paris France. The city itself serves as more than a backdrop or establishing shot yet rather the driving force of the film. Whether at day, in the rain, or at night the city is the core of Woody's masterful film.
Woody Allen's Original Screenplay
The film is not an overly dramatic plot yet rather an extremely witty one, as it incorporates Woody's usual dry humor (Annie Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona).He once again provides a truly original screenplay with this work (which rightfully won an Academy Award). It's a character driven plot, a romantic-fantasy, that revolves around an aspiring writer, Gil Pender (Owen Wilson). Gil is on vacation with his fiance, experience a bit of a writer's block yet finding great inspiration from the city of Paris. However Gil get's no support from his practical fiance, Inez (Rachel MacAdams) her parents, nor her friends. Inez parents and friends merely serve as juxtapositions to Gil's dreamlike ideals. It is rather through the Parisians, (Marion Cotilliard and Lea Seydoux) that Gil is able to find his inspiration.
One of the best catches of this film is it's fantasy twist that highlights cultural and artistic references from the 1920s. Woody Allen is able to subtly tie this fantasy into his plot, by sending Gil on magical time traveling trips to the 1920s. When the clock strikes midnight, Gil boards an old vehicle and finds himself sharing drinks and discussion with famous artists of the time. This magical twist is never fully explained, however it's irrelevant since it's all seen from Gil's aspiring eyes. To add to this imaginative twist, is many notable guest star performances, great costume designs, as well as a very catchy jazz soundtrack. The film is bursting with romantic, artistic, and cultural innuendos that leaves the viewer wanting more. Within its themes of art, nostalgia, and romance is it's ultimate homage to the beauty that is Paris, both past and present.
The Original Characters
Gil Pender is the protagonist of this film played by Owen Wilson. He is somewhat of a hopeless romantic, a screenplay Hollywood writer who wants to give actual literature a try. His only obstacle however is that his fiance does not share his artistic passion, and he finds himself at a lack of inspiration. That is until he falls in love with the city of Paris.
Inez is the fiance of Gil, portrayed by Rachel MacAdams. She is a practical upper class woman who plays somewhat of an antagonist to Gil's daydreaming. Although she has her brief moments she is constantly arguing and belittling Gil. She is supported by her wealthy parents who feel that Gil is not a good choice for her. By the end of the film it is quite clear that Inez is only in it for the status and doesn't truly love Gil and his artistic ideals.
Inez's father is a wealthy business man played by Kurt Fuller, who doesn't care much for France much less Gil. It is clear that he is a conservative person who despises any liberal agenda whatsoever. He even goes as far as to have Gil followed in the night.
Inez's mother is the classic snooty mother, played by Mimi Kennedy. She supports her daughter yet hardly trusts Gil's artistic ambitions.
Paul Bates is an old friend of Inez, played by Michael Sheen. He is described as a pedantic, pseudo-intellectual who has an academic opinion on everything from art to psychology. He is a very dis-likable character, who claims to know everything and in doing so he steals Inez away from Gil.Carol Bates is the extremely loyal wife to Paul, played by Nina Arianda. She appears to be an intellectual herself however much more in awe of her know-it-all husband.
Adriana is Gil's love interest set in the 1920s, played by Marion Cottillard. Although she is not based on a historical person, she can be identified as a mistress of Picasso, Modigliani, Hemingway, and Braque. She is very lovely with a taste for fashion and the arts and especially fond of Gil's lost yet innocent ideals. However she fades away into the Bella Epoque or perhaps Gil's fantasies.
Gabriella is a young Parisian woman who sells music in the markets, and shares a natural chemistry with Gil. She is played by Lea Seydoux. She shares Gil's passion for Cole Porter, Paris in the rain, and perhaps art in general. At the end of the film she walks with Gil by his side.
The Soundtrack
01. “Si tu vois ma mère” – Sidney Bechet
03. “Recado” – Original Paris Swing
04. “Bistro Fada” – Stephane Wrembel
05. “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love)” – Conal Fowkes (Composed by Cole Porter)
06. “You’ve Got That Thing” – Conal Fowkes (Composed by Cole Porter)
07. “La conga blicoti” – Joséphine Baker
08. “You Do Something to Me” – Conal Fowkes (Composed by Cole Porter)
09. “I Love Penny Sue” – Daniel May
10. “Charleston” – Enoch Light & The Charleston City All Stars (Composed by James P Johnson)
11. “Ain’t She Sweet” – Enoch Light & The Charleston City All Stars (Composed by Milton Ager)
12. “Parlez-moi d’amour” – Dana Boulé (Composed by Jean Lenoir)
13. “Barcarolle from “The Tales of Hoffman” – Conal Fowkes & Yrving & Lisa Yeras
14. “Can-Can from Orpheus In the Underworld” – The Czech National Symphony Orchestra (Composed by Jaques Offenbach)
15. “Ballad du Paris” – Francois Parisi
16. “Le parc de plaisir” – Francois Parisi
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