Midnight in Paris (2011) - Woody Allen

Stars: Owen Wilson, Rachael McAdams,

Plot: A writer (Wilson) and his fiancee (McAdams) visit Paris. He dreams of 1920s Paris, home of Hemingway, Stein, Fitzgerald, and Picasso and wants to stay and write - she wants to shop and go home to Beverly Hills.

Woody's latest. An enjoyable piece of fluff with Owen Wilson playing Woody Allen. Highlights include some great shots of Paris, a good soundtrack, Michael Sheen as the pedantic Know-it-all and some excellent acting by all involved. Wilson shows his comedic acting talents by taking lines written for Woody Allen and making them charming and believable even when coming a tall, good looking, and "not from NYC" actor.

Its good but could have been much better. Allen doesn't do much with 1920s Paris characters, they're either punchlines (Zelda Fitzgerald/Dali) or historical caricatures (Picasso/TS Eliot) that never come alive. Exceptions: Bates as Gertrude Stein and whoever played Hemingway.

Nor are McAdams or her parents given much to do. The situation, actors, and photography are good but this should have been sharper/funnier. Wilson, for example, is in almost every scene and talks constantly but quips are few. However, this is Woody's 41st film and he *is* 75 years old. So I suppose its understandable. Or maybe he's just getting lazy.

Rating: B+