Looking for an excellent movie to watch? I’d vouch for “Midnight In Paris”, a romantic and magical film from the artist known as Woody Allen. Allen may have missed with his previous movie “You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger”, but “Midnight In Paris” is both entertaining and original- it’s a wonderful achievement that recalls one of his best and most enduring comedies, “The Purple Rose Of Cairo”. From the minute it opened, I knew I was in for something special. I wasn’t wrong. What’s more, the film maintained that great feeling all the way to the finale. That’s always a good thing. Owen Wilson stars as Gil, a Hollywood screenwriter on a return visit to Paris with his fiancee, Inez (Rachel McAdams). Gil is in love with the city, and dreams of writing a great novel like Hemingway and Fitzgerald. The fun begins when one night, and while strolling alone in the city, Gil sees a mysterious antique vehicle roll up and its occupants urge him to jump in. He travels back in time with them to a party where he encounters F Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Cole Porter. He even falls in love with Picasso’s mistress, played by Marion Cotillard. But the less you know about the story, the better. The film should properly unfold as a series of surprises. Suffice to say that in order for you to enjoy the movie, you must be able to accept its fantastic premise, as it is. In other words, you must be willing to go along on this surreal, imaginary journey, or you shouldn’t watch this movie at all. But if you’re anything like me, then you will most definitely love it.

Wilson and Cotillard are both likable and believable; they give us rooting interest, and that’s always essential, especially in a Woody Allen world, where it’s all about the characters and not the story. Allen and his colleagues make especially good use of Paris as well, filming everywhere from the Champs-Élysées to the Château de Versailles. If nothing else, it’s a fresh look at a familiar city.

“Midnight In Paris” doesn’t provide all the answers, as with every Woody Allen movie I’ve seen. But it covers fresh territory and draws us into the character’s lives with a passion that makes it a standout among this year’s releases. Hell I can’t say enough about this exceptional film. One thing is for sure though: Woody Allen hasn’t lost his touch. Not yet anyway.

Rating: 3.5/4