Like the central character in Woody Allen's new film Midnight in Paris (opening today), I've always had a desire to take up residence in Paris for a time. The cafes, the wine, the crepes, the Seine and the bridges that cross it, the history that follows you everywhere...I'd have to agree with those who say that Paris is the most romantic city on earth. Midnight in Paris is great supporting evidence.
Here is the breakdown: This is a romantic comedy set in Paris about a family that goes there because of business, and two young people who are engaged to be married in the fall have experiences there that change their lives. It's about a young man's great love for a city, Paris, and the illusion people have that a life different from theirs would be much better. It stars Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, and Carla Bruni among others.
Check out the trailer:
One of the other reasons I love Paris so much is the wealth of art that both exists in its borders and that which it has inspired over the years. After seeing the film I was inspired to search and refresh my memory as to how famous artists have represented Paris over the years. Below are just a few of the works I uncovered... check them out now and then come back and take a look at them again after you see the film (you'll see why):
Ernest Hemingway said it best:
If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.
Loved the movie. Best Woody Allen in years. But the best part of the evening was a true Woody Allen moment or maybe even a Larry David moment.
ReplyDeleteThe theatre was packed and only a speckling of single seats remained. Ah, there were two seats, separated by a woman reading her book while waiting for the film to begin. On her left, the empty aisle seat and to her right , another empty seat. We watched from the row behind as one couple after another politely asked the woman if she could possibly move one seat over so that they could sit together and watch this wonderful romantic comedy together. But NO, she would not budge and after turning down the many request(5 or 6 ),would continue reading her book. She "liked the particular angle" we heard her explain. What ever her reasoning for not sharing this space we were not sure, but we certainly knew why she watched alone.