NYP- Indie Movies: you might think of them as the most unfun you can have inside a darkened theater, but this guide is here to change your mind. Sure some can be depressing, boring, perplexing to the point of alienation, but odds are your date wants to see them. As with all things “indie” there is a hotly debated, long, complicated backstory and a passionate cult of followers. This does not have to be you.
You do not have the time to investigate the origins of Sundance. No one is asking you to care about the revolutions against the American studio system in the ‘20s, the ‘40s, the ‘70s and the ‘90s. Don’t waste a Sunday researching who won the Paramount case and why that’s not the title of a John Grisham novel, yet. Just breeze through these weekly portion-sized reviews of the newest indie flicks, complete with handy cliffnotes to impress your thickest-framed friends, and make yourself infinitely more attractive to people who call them “films” instead of “movies”.
This week’s film is Midnight in Paris (2011) written and directed by Woody Allen. Try to ignore the fact that the theatrical release poster is Owen Wilson walking through a Van Gogh painting and just take the plunge. It is a guaranteed date night success. The film stars Owen Wilson as a “Hollywood hack” traveling in Paris—with his fiancé (Rachel McAdams) and soon-to-be in-laws (Mimi Kennedy, Kurt Fuller)—who is forced to confront his illusions that the past is better than the present.
Now for the spoilers: While on his present-day holiday, Owen Wilson time-travels to Paris in the ‘20s and meets F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and other great figures of the art and literary world. He spends time with his artistic heroes each night, and falls in love with another woman (Marion Cotillard). His experiences in the 1920’s help him finish his first novel and discover the truth about all of his illusions. Essentially, the film is about the dangers of romanticizing something, whether it is a time period or a relationship, and how it can keep one from fully experiencing the present. Make sure to spot the character cameos of Picasso, Dali, Cole Porter, Man Ray, Luis Bunuel and T.S. Eliot—because they’re in there.
This is F. Scott Fitzgerald. Of course you’ve read The Great Gatsby, but you prefer his late short stories.
Woody Allen: you know you’re supposed to know him. This is his 41st film. He made a bunch of great classic movies, many of which were shot in and about New York City. Then, he made some not-as-good ones, which caused people to take him for granted. Recently, he’s made some great ones again, like Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008). His writing is usually simultaneously romantic and cynical. Sometimes this occurs via neurosis-inducing plot points that make you feel like Camus on a beach or an actor staring into the distance from a bridge in a music video, whichever reference works.
What you should hate about Woody Allen: How every Woody Allen leading role (man or woman) sounds exactly like Woody Allen. It’s weird to hear the Dallas–born Owen Wilson talk like a New Yorker. What you should love about Woody Allen: how every Woody Allen leading role sounds exactly like Woody Allen. The man knows how to write (and say) one-liners that just slice through the most pretentious d-bags out there.
Impressive things to say about the film: You appreciated that Allen doesn’t spend anytime explaining the science behind the time-travel because it would distract from the narrative. Also, say something about how genuine Owen Wilson’s performance is—he’s so guileless and his love for Paris is so very believable. Speaking of Owen Wilson, where you know him from: Wedding Crashers and Zoolander. Where you’re supposed to know him from: Bottle Rocket and co-writing the early Wes Anderson films.
Bottom line: it’s a real winner and it’s not even in black & white or subtitled (don’t worry we’ll get there!). So, go see this movie and take someone you’ve been longing to… impress. It’s common knowledge that Indie films are one of the best ways to impress a date while remaining seated. And aren’t you just a little tired of all that standing?
