Midnight in Paris is an offbeat supernatural comedy by Woody Allen that has drawn comparisons to another movie I reviewed here, Last Night in Soho. Although these two films have been linked thematically, their plots belong to entirely different genres. While Last Night in Soho is a neo-giallo horror film, Midnight in Paris is a fantasy comedy. However, both movies share a common theme: the protagonists are transported to a past era they long to be part of.

As with most of Allen’s movies, Midnight in Paris features a stellar cast and delves deeply into the search for meaning and happiness. The ensemble includes Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Tom Hiddleston, Alison Pill, Marion Cotillard, Corey Stoll, Adrien Brody, Kathy Bates, Carla Bruni, and others.

The story follows Gil (played by Wilson), a successful Hollywood screenwriter who aspires to become a novelist. He is engaged to Inez (McAdams) and joins her and her parents on a vacation in Paris. While the couple appears to be in love, tensions emerge as Gil becomes captivated by the romantic allure of 1920s Paris, wishing he could belong to that golden age.

In Paris, Gil and Inez meet her friend Paul and his wife, Carol. Paul, who presents himself as an expert on Parisian history, fails to impress Gil, who dismisses him as a pseudo-intellectual. One evening, while wine-tasting with the group, an inebriated Gil wanders off to explore the streets of Paris alone.

Lost in the city at midnight, Gil finds himself on a mysterious street where a 1928 Peugeot Type 184 Landaulet pulls up. A man and a woman in the car invite him to join them. To Gil’s amazement, he is transported to a party filled with iconic figures from the 1920s. At a gathering hosted by Jean Cocteau, he meets Scott (Hiddleston) and Zelda Fitzgerald (Pill), Ernest Hemingway (Stoll), Salvador Dalí (Brody), and others. He forms a particular connection with Hemingway.

The following night, Gil returns to the same street, and the car once again whisks him back to the 1920s. Hemingway introduces Gil to Gertrude Stein, who agrees to review the manuscript of Gil’s novel. During his visits to the past, Gil also meets Pablo Picasso and his mistress, Adriana (Cotillard), with whom he develops strong feelings. Meanwhile, Inez grows increasingly concerned about Gil’s late-night absences.

As Gil grapples with his feelings for Adriana and his dissatisfaction with his present life, he begins to question whether he is on the right path. This leads to further complications, culminating in an unexpected twist and a poignant resolution—hallmarks of Woody Allen’s storytelling.

Midnight in Paris is another delightful Woody Allen comedy that carries a powerful message: the past may not be as idyllic as we imagine. With stunning visuals of Paris, well-developed characters, and a thought-provoking narrative, the film is a must-watch.