Gil (Owen Wilson) is a successful Hollywood screenwriter who is struggling with his attempts at a debut novel. Gil accompanies his fiancé Inez (Rachel McAdams) on a holiday to Paris along with her sceptical and overbearing parents in attempt to find inspiration for his novel. Gil falls in love with the city fantasising what it would be like to live there in the golden age of the 1920's. Gil loves the city so much that he wants to move there once they are married however Inez doesn't share his ideals and instead wishes to return to America and move to Malibu. Uncertain about the path his life is taking Gil takes to walking the streets of Paris at midnight only to see his fantasies become a reality.
I never quite know what to expect with a Woody Allen film as they are always very different to say the least. One thing that can be assured with a Woody Allen film is that it will be unique as he tries to make something new and original each time. Allen successfully blends the beauty of the city and the fantasy of Gil's nighttime adventures, making for a very intriguing film. There is little need for explanation as to how the time travel happens, instead Gil simply goes along for the ride enjoying the remarkable encounters he has with his literary idols.
Among the famous writers, artists, composers and filmmakers Gil meets are Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and most notably Adrianna, Picasso's mistress played by Marion Cotilliard. Gil is taken by Adrianna's beauty and starts to doubt his true affection for Inez. As Gil becomes swept up in his midnight fantasies he finds it hard to juggle between his two lives, causing Inez and her parents to grow suspicious of his late night expeditions.
Gil is an intriguing character as at first he is very unlikeable. It's made clear that he is frustrated with his novel but he is unwilling to accept the advice of others instead choosing to impose his unwanted views and opinions onto others. Yet by the end of the film I couldn't help but like him, mainly because Owen Wilson is a hard actor to dislike even if his character is somewhat stubborn and selfish. Equally as stubborn and imposing is Paul (Michael Sheen) a friend that Inez and Gil bump into in Paris. Paul like Gil comes across as very unlikeable character as he sheds his insight and knowledge on absolutely everything refusing to accept the views of others. The only difference is his views and opinions are respected and appreciated, especially by Inez. Inez is a very shallow character that is played very well by McAdams, although there is little joy to be taken from her character's personality and nature.
The most impressive part of the film comes right at the beginning with an impressive montage of Paris. It plays like a collection of Allen's personal photographs as you are exposed to all the highlights Paris has to offer. The opening sets the mood for the rest of the film as Allen pays homage to the wonderful city, with the film acting as his love letter to Paris.
Despite the rather weak conclusion and the fact that most of the characters possess unlikeable personalities the film itself is a beautiful fantasy set to the enticing backdrop of Paris. The film definitely struggles in some areas but there are subtle changes that occur within Gil's character, ensuring his journey was worthwhile. By the end of the film you are left with the simply message that everyone can and does get nostalgic about the past, but the only way to move forward in life is to start living in the present.
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