MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: A matter of 'interesting' dialogues

About a month ago, my partner required me to see the latest Woody Allen offering, Midnight in Paris.  He said, “It is theeeeeeee best movie of its genre in the last 10 years!” A few days later, when he asked whether I'd seen the film – !to which the answer was negative, of course - he exclaimed, “It is an absolute deeeelight, Darling! I'm telling you! It's a MUST-seeeeeee!” Enthusiasm still freshly brewed, I thought. It must be pretty special.

Now my brush-off did not mean that I was not at all intrigued. Words are, to this couple, as holding-hands is to most, and the last three years has been about learning to take his comments in stride. During countless occasions through-out our relationship, I have been, perpetually, a victim of rich sarcasms and saucy superlatives. So, call it a tact to build up the suspense towards the thrilling and lengthy discourse after the fact, or the inevitable moral debate – for whilst both conscious of our similarity in tastes and views on most relevant subject matters, my partner is a prodigal follower of his own faith.

Midnight in Paris turned out to be not a matter of discussion or quotes, however, but a matter of dialogues. As true as our inclinations lean towards the artistic, I gather my limited technical knowledge of the arts will not give justice to the surprising juxtapositions in the plot, that writing a review would simply be pretentious and unconvincing. Furthermore, I have no wish to be branded as one who blasphemes against Ernest, Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Salvador Dali, and all of the 1920's iconic players. And to say that it is an intelligently thought-of screenplay would further defeat the writers graceful and insightful tone.

As parallelisms go, I do claim that to capture the elements and nuances of Midnight in Paris is as fascinating as the next person's perplexing approach to using the surreal term 'interesting'. Consequently, thinking along these lines is a tad prudent, yes. Because to describe anything as such is to give away too little by giving way too much. Like an overwhelmed novice mulling over a skillful piece of abstract art. Or my partner's polite manner of saying, “ Bullocks! I don't agree with you one bit. But point taken!”

As with any controversial concept, 'interesting' is like the invisible point halfway between both ends of the spectrum, that branches out to connect ideological and academic synapses identified-but not specified- by intellectuals. That which most would try, and often unsuccessfully, seize with a worthy monologue. When used, it becomes, to say the least, multi-generalized, multi-faceted, multi-individualistic, ad infinitum. From the vantage point of the completely romantic, it may be heard as an echo of understated perfection, pure but not flawless. Off of a cynic, a recognizable ring of arrogance on a failed attempt at wit and innocent nonchalance.

Perhaps, its achievement may just be the tongue-in-cheek of an unfulfilled genius; while usage of the word is a scholar's proper hesitation to expressing an arguable thought. In a manner of speaking, uttering 'interesting' on any occasion, is an admittance to being lost without being stupid. No matter, it is what it is: a word that has become a ghost to its true meaning - for it never has been reduced to a lesser degree, but may even be the prelude to an exaltation!

It would, therefore, be dishonest to agree with my partner's exaggerations, but more dishonest to proclaim my disagreement of them. Put differently:  if a song is that which appeals to another dreamy couple, and meanings are truly found by reading between the lines, Midnight in Paris is one intangible memorabilia we share beyond romantic sentiments. Clearly, this long distance relationship has become less surreal albeit the endless border between our two separate realities. And although our positions appear quite unimposing – or disagreeable from certain views - our disagreements never hope to diminish each other's values. Merely, chew on them!  

It's certainly surreal, though. Definitely, definitely so real!

P.S.  For all the movie clips please note that no copyright infringement were intended for their use.  Also, sorry about the video-audio delay. I'm a poor techie!!!  


P.P.S.  I did grab Midnight in Paris online.... Legally!  Sign up for an account with graboid and watch the it full!  :)