Woody Allen's latest film, Midnight in Paris, is a glorious visual love letter to Paris as only Woody Allen can make. The opening sequence, a montage of the most beautiful sights of Paris including the Place de la Concorde, the Seine, Pont Alexander bridge, Fouquet cafe, Place Vendome, Rodin museum, Notre Dame, and of course, the Eiffel Tower, sets the mood perfectly.
The story is about a frustrated Hollywood screenwriter Gil Pender (played by Owen Wilson) who is struggling to find inspiration to finish his first novel. He comes to Paris with his stuck up, bourgeois fiancee and her suffocatingly rich parents. Gil gets restless one night and decides to wander the dark streets of Paris. Suddenly a 1920s sedan pulls up and the drunken guests in the car whisk him off his feet to a party. It turns out the party takes him back in time to 1920s Paris and he meets the likes of Hemingway, F. Scott and Zelda Fitgerald, and Picasso at this secret party. He also finds his muse, played by the radiant Marion Cotillard, who he also shares with Picasso and Hemingway. Gil returns back to the hotel and goes for his mystery walks every night consequently,also meeting Dali and Gertrude Stein(played by the marvelous Kathy Bates), who he gives his novel to. The usual comedic Woody Allen antics ensue as Gil tries to cover his tracks and not reveal his new found world. Eventually he finds his true self. Carla Bruni convincingly plays the world's most beautiful tour guide (how could I compete with that? But I have much more personality, if that counts) dressed in jeans and simple blouse, miles away from her Chanel couture and glamorous role as First Lady.
If you can't get here soon, or need a boost other than my blog, go take a romantic 90 minute vacances to Paris, courtesy of Woody Allen.
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Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 17 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my courtyards, doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Very well written, I will go for the tour with the guy that has much more personality.
Posted by: Marilene | May 24, 2011 at 03:40 PM
I hope that this movie comes to my town soon! I need a Paris fix. Fast!
Posted by: Teresa | May 25, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Just saw the movie in Hollywood. For those of us that love Paris it is perfection!
Posted by: Benita | May 25, 2011 at 08:11 PM
Really enjoyed the movie!
Love reading your blog. Have added it to my blogroll - hope you don't mind. Look forward to seeing you at 'I Know A Little Place: Paris'.
Posted by: Tomi Kushner | May 31, 2011 at 12:54 AM