Film Review: Midnight in Paris, 2011, dir. Woody Allen

“That Paris exists and anyone could choose to live anywhere else in the world will always be a mystery to me…”

Such a sentiment has never been more true than when expressed in Woody Allen’s latest offering. The quality of his more recent films has notably declined from his output of the 70′s, but Allen has returned with a wonderful, funny story and solid characters. Owen Wilson is Gil, a Hollywood screenwriter seeking a new career as a literary writer. Tagging along to Paris with his snobby fiancee and her parents, he discovers a decadent and romantic world he has always wanted to be a part of – literally.

Although transporting characters to a previous time is a difficult and often perilous move, the film proves that nearly any idea can materialise nicely in the hands of a talented and knowledgeable director. To carry off the trick plot line with ease, strong character actors are a must and Allen has managed to secure the cream of the miniscule, modern Hollywood crop.

Wilson is well cast and convincing as the bumbling, naive Gil and works well against his haughty fiancee Inez, played by Rachel McAdams. Other star turns include Kathy Bates as Gertrude Stein and Marion Cotillard as Adriana, a beautiful ingenue who captures Gil’s heart. Corey Stoll is remarkable as the deadpan, yet brilliant Hemingway, and Carla Bruni also pops up in an amusing cameo. Other supporting characters to watch out for are Alison Pill and Tom Hiddleston as Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald and a surprising performance from Adrien Brody as Salvador Dali.

Cinematography is key in this film and is one truly spectacular element. The scenes are lit in a semi-gloom that is redolent of 1920′s Parisian postcards and artwork. The makeup and wardrobe styling adds a strong feeling of thought and care given to recreation of an extraordinary time and era. Anyone who can succeed in making Paris appear more beautiful than it is in reality has achieved something quite special. Overall, Woody has made a film that it’s difficult to fault and that is quite simply the only criticism I have of it!

All Rights Reserved © Copyright 2011 Michelle Lacey (Michelle Ní Láitheása).

Book Review: How To Be A Woman – Caitlin Moran

If you’re a fan of Caitlin Moran’s writing (or more precisely, her wit) then How To Be A Woman is a winner. Having read and studied many different books on feminism, I was excited to hear that Caitlin Moran had decided to tackle the subject. As a fan of Moran’s writing and critiques, I hoped she would bring her usual panache and wit to How To Be A Woman – and she didn’t let me down. There are brilliant stories concerning Jordan, Lady Gaga, a Berlin sex club, bra fittings at Rigby and Peller, rising through the ranks at Melody Maker and a much needed discussion on why pants are getting smaller.

How To Be A Woman gives laugh out loud moments (as I did whilst reading it on the tube) and some more sobering thoughts on growing up, sibling rivalry, bullying, falling in love and a slightly comical, if excruciating, account of childbirth. Through it all, Moran’s philosophy remains that she is a feminist without having to be the next Germaine Greer and if she can do it, so can every other woman.

Essentially, How To Be A Woman is a great introductory text to feminism and leaves the reader open-minded to their own ideas about what being a woman is for them. My favourite section, perhaps controversial, was the chapter about abortion, where Moran details not only her own experience of abortion, but also the stigma that is still attached to it. I think in the present age, it is high time a woman stepped forward and declared that ‘actually on this occasion, this is the right decision for me’. In no way is this advocating constant use of abortion, but it is refreshing to read a perspective such as Moran’s. Well worth the read.

All Rights Reserved © Copyright 2011 Michelle Lacey (Michelle Ní Láitheása).