I didn’t love it.
I wanted to, because the reviews have been good and a few of my friends gave it raves. I thought it was a moderately enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon, but I wasn’t nearly as enthralled as I’d hoped.
Yes, the setting is lovely. What’s not to like about shot after shot of Paris? That said, I thought Nancy Myers’ cinematographer did a better job in “Something’s Gotta Give” in the scenes where Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson find their way to the city in the movie’s third act. Now those were magical. Woody’s could have been shot with a cell phone.
I get a kick out of Owen Wilson when he’s in a buddy flick with Vince Vaughn (as in “Wedding Crashers”), but not when he has to carry a movie and appears in virtually every scene. A little of him goes a long way with me. He’s just not an appealing leading man IMHO.
The plot gimmick of the time travel (spoiler alert) wears thin after the third or fourth time Owen is whisked away after midnight. I knew from the second he met the girl selling the Cole Porter record that he’d end up with her in the end.
The good news was that Marion Cotillard was in the movie. I could watch her read a grocery list. She elevates every part she plays (mostly what she does here is look alluring and smoke cigarettes). Rachel McAdams was a hoot as the acquisitive fiancee – much more fun than when she plays saccharine.
For anyone who hasn’t seen “Midnight in Paris,” here’s the trailer.
I’m not an Owen Wilson fan. I find him very annoying. Just grow up already buddy!
We watched “The King’s Speech” last night. Very enjoyable. Forget the royalty part, the story of Bertie as a person trying to overcome difficulties was very good. But knowing how much the King and Queen meant to England during the second world war, made it even better.
Colin Firth can do more acting with his eyes than some actors do with their entire bodies!
I thought you’d already seen “The King’s Speech,” Melissa. I know we talked about “Social Network” but for some reason I thought you were comparing the two when they were both up for the Best Picture Oscar. Oh well. Glad you enjoyed it. It’s was my second favorite of last year. We had the cast, director and screenwriter here, and Colin Firth has to be one of the nicest actors around. And Geoffrey Rush is an absolute riot. So funny. Just a great cast all around, including Helena Bonham Carter.
Yes, oh yes, to the comments. But first…
Too bad the Woody movie wasn’t better. Recall the hype & hope. Ain’t seen it yet, probably will when it comes to Redbox (like most such things), but agree with you about Owen Wilson. Only non-comedy I’ve seen him in was “Behind Enemy Lines,” a good war-action movie…but he seems best suited for the left coast, meaning movies LOCATED thereabouts, no offense(s) intended…my sis would love all the Paree scenery, and prob’ly relate to ALL wine comments, no matter how smarmy, but still, it likely needed more…
Now, back to King’s Speech. On 60 Minutes last nite, they had a great interview with Colin Firth, and it also featured some interviewing of Geoffrey Rush (Son #2 could NOT believe this was the same guy in “Pirates” movies…hey, he’s 22, to what else can he relate?). We’ve been trying to coax him into seeing “King’s Speech” — understand, this is a kid whose fave movies are “Saw” and “Hostel” — so hopefully, the 60 Minutes stuff did the trick — of course, they just HAD to add a bit of the dance scene from “Mamma Mia,” with Pierce Brosnan, and Firth said something about his ‘Inner Drag Queen’…but if that didn’t turn him totally off, (‘James Bond’ in drag, too??), we’ll rent it and hope that he stays with it…
Ugh, don’t even get me started on “Mamma Mia,” Dave. I couldn’t stand that movie despite the pretty scenery. Even Meryl Streep got on my nerves in that one, which is saying something. But you and your son need to get used to Colin Firth’s versatility. He should have won Best Actor for “A Single Man,” in which he played a gay professor, and he’s now said to be attached to the remake of “My Fair Lady” in the Rex Harrison role.
Hey Jane,
Just read your comment about Colin Firth being attached to remake of “My Fair Lady”…oh wow, if he does Rex Harrison’s part I will go nuts! My family LOVES that movie. “The King’s Speech” is really good. My husband and I enjoyed it.
I haven’t seen “Midnight In Paris” but I’m interested. I love all these fantasy/paranormal/time-travel things–it’s pretty much the genre I write and a lot of what I read. I don’t really have a problem with Owen Wilson. I saw him in “Marley & Me” and loved it–don’t forget tissues for that one. He does the voice of Lightning McQueen in Disney’s “Cars” and not bad in it. He’s not my favorite actor, but he’s done some good/decent work :-)
I enjoy time travel plots too, Bethany, but for me this one went nowhere and I do like having a payoff. I thought “Marley and Me” was sweet, but Owen Wilson didn’t have to carry the movie. The star was the dog!
Hi Jane …
I felt the same …it was ok but I didn’t love it. I wasn’t thrilled with Owen Wilson at all. The whole plot did get old after awhile. I wanted to see it because of all the rave reviews but I should have known better…I always like the movies that the critics hate ..haha.
Go Yankees 2011 !!!
Great minds think alike, Peggy. Haha. On the other hand, I usually do like the movies that the critics like and I’m an avid reader of reviews before I’ll go see a film. Oh well.
Who was the actress who sold Owen Wilson the Cole Porter record and ended up with him? I thoroughly liked the movie but agree with the Owen Wilson comments in spades. Of the four of us who saw the movie yesterday, three thought that Owen Wilson in the lead role came perilously close to ruining the whole movie.
Bob, she’s a young French actress named Lea Seydoux (sp?). So you agreed with me about Owen Wilson in the lead. I guess what I think about him is that a little goes a long way and he’s better when he’s paired with Vince Vaughn or some other actor. He was in nearly every frame of this movie!