Midnight In Paris

The arts portray what humanity feels about itself, making it very important as a self-refection of society. The movie Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen deals with a screenplay writer named Gil, who wants to move from the simple screenplays to writing actual novel. He travels to Paris with his fiancé, Inez, and her family. Every night at midnight he enters a taxi, and travels to the 1920’s meeting famous writers and artists. Through people Gil meets like the writer Ernest Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein, Gil receives help with his novel. By the end of the movie, Gil realizes that Inez is having an affair, and that he wants to live in Paris with it’s art and beauty. Gil juxtaposes his fiancé Inez because he realizes the importance

Paul, his wife Carol, Gil, and Inez visit a museum. Paul, a pseudo-intellectual, spouts fallacies and misinformation about various famous artworks, including a portrait of Picasso’s mistress, Adrianna. Gil steps in, attempting to correct Paul, using his recently acquired knowledge from his travel back in time. Both Paul and Inez quickly shut him up, and Inez is only intent on hearing what Paul says. Inez’s blatant disinterest in facts and rude behavior regarding Gil, shows how she does not care for artistic expression. The only thing she really is interested in is money. Later in the movie, it is revealed that Inez and Paul are having an affair. Gil’s book contains two characters, direct foils for Paul and Inez. As Gil receives feedback on his book from Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway’s one critique is that the main character does not see how his fiancé is having an affair with the pedantic gentleman. Gil confronts Inez and Inez admits to the affair. Woody Allen shows the two most insufferable people in the movie to also be culturally illiterate. Woody Allen attempts to show how it is impossible to lead a meaningful and honest life if one does not care about the art and

When Gil first enters the 1920’s he begins talking to Hemingway about the fear of death and what true love is. Hemingway explains “I believe that love that is true and real creates a respite from death. All cowardice comes from not loving, or not loving well, which is the same thing.” Gil finds meaning in this because he realizes he does not love Inez and that they are simply incompatible in a relationship. Gil is with Inez for the sole reason that she is very beautiful, and Inez is with Gil because he is rich and a successful Hollywood writer. Throughout the movie, Gil looks around and realizes he has nothing in common with Inez. The movie concludes with Gil and Gabrielle meeting just as it is about to rain. Gabrielle is an antique dealer that Gil meets and talks about art. After Inez and Gil break the engagement and Gil vows to live in Paris, he meets with Gabriella. As it starts to rain, Gabrielle remarks how she loves Paris in the rain. These sentiments are the same as Gils, and Woody Allen shows how the two have very similar tastes. Arts and literature helps Gil discover what he truly wants, and helps him realize that the life he has with Inez is not what he