Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Midnight in Paris (2011)

What is it about? 

A struggling writer's long walks at midnight in the city of Paris causes him to fall in love with the city through adventures in another time period. 

Who is in it? 

Owen Wilson - Gil

Rachel McAdams - Inez

Kurt Fuller - John

Mimi Kennedy - Helen

Favorite Scene: 

After having too much wine, Gil takes a walk, gets into a car, and eventually ends up in a place where he meets his favorite writers such as Hemingway and Fitzgerald. He has no idea where he is, but is very excited to be there. 

Favorite Quote: 

Inez: You always take the side of the help. That's why Daddy says you're a communist. 
---
Gil: What is it with this city? I need to write a letter to the Chamber of Commerce. 

Review: 

Midnight in Paris is a film that will completely catch you off-guard. Described as a "romantic-comedy" and misleading in it's DVD case description, this film is one that will surprisingly entertain and engage. And no, this film is far from resembling anything of a romantic comedy. 

Nonetheless, with a superbly creative and interesting plot of the character Gil entering a different time period via a midnight car ride and how it relates to the present is very well done. 

The usual expectations from Director Woody Allen are present in this film, including a slow moving and European fascination-filled pace, for those that enjoy a film that forces you to use your imagination, Midnight in Paris will be a great watch. 

And what really makes the film entertaining, is the work of Owen Wilson as the quirky character, Gil. Wilson perfectly fills the role and truly comes off as a loveable protagonist whom you simply feel excited for as he meets his heroes of ages past, and finds happiness in the present. 

Midnight in Paris is not a film for everyone. However, as I later learned, don't judge this film from the title, it's selected genre and even it's own description. Midnight in Paris is a very good film, and one you might strangely enjoy. 

Grade: 3/5

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...

Knicks Postseason 2026, Conference Finals vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

It feels like forever since we've played.  But we've got our opponent, and it's go time!  Review Thoughts from Round 1 Review Thoughts from Round 2 Like every other Knick fan, I too hoped for a seven-game series between the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and that's what we got. The long series added time for our squad to rest up (get healthy, OG!) and more time to scout exactly what we'll have to deal with in the Eastern Conference Finals.  We've been here before, and a trip to the NBA Finals once again feels all too close. All too real!  The Cavaliers present some interesting dynamics with their electric backcourt and the size up front with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. There are also two players on the roster, Dennis Schroder and Max Strus, who often find ways to stick it to the Knicks. Sam Merrill seems like the kind of guy who would join that group in this series.  Nonetheless, the Knicks are on a historic run. The Cavs have been knocking on t...

Knicks Postseason 2026, NBA Finals vs. San Antonio Spurs [in progress]

Part of me is in disbelief that we are here...the other part is raging and ready to go. Four more wins! Let's. GO! So much of this NBA Finals feels poetic, historical, and dream-worthy, for so many reasons, to so many different parties. This includes the NBA office. I'm sure they are loving this matchup for their biggest stage.  While defeating the Spurs does exercise some demons from 1999, I'm not sure I care about that at all. As noted from my thoughts in the Eastern Conference Finals, at this point, just win. Review Thoughts from Round 1 Review Thoughts from Round 2 Review Thoughts from Eastern Conference Finals Just. Win.  I don't care who the opponent is. The narrative that comes with it, or how we do it.  Just. Win. The NBA Cup win seems like whiteboard material for them, yet a serving example for us to match up with them. Again, it doesn't matter. Both teams are completely different beasts since November, through growth and experience.  This all comes down to...