Midnight in Paris

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Before a big trip, I love to immerse myself in books, movies, and music referencing the place I'm going. Last weekend, The Boy and I watched Midnight in Paris after our marathon planning session. We were both a little weary, since Woody Allen movies can either be huge hits or big misses. But we were pleasantly surprised!  

the unraveling couple.. here

Owen Wilson plays Gil, a slightly less neurotic version of the director himself, Rachel McAdams is his tart, acerbic fiancee, and Marion Cotillard plays the mysterious love interest, Adriana-- who inconveniently lives in Paris in the 1920s. One night Gil, drunk and lost, steps into a vintage car and finds himself in the roaring '20s, hobnobbing with artists and ex-pats including Hemingway, Picasso and Gertrude Stein

Adrienne Brody as Dali...here

Through a series of interesting glimpses into the lives of the famous and fabulous from Parisian history (apparently, Gil's world is only inhabited by historical figures and celebrities), our hero begins to learn that by romanticizing times gone by, he's been ignoring hard facts about his own life.  And everyone, whether they live in modern times, wear adorable flapper dresses in the 1920s or (spoiler!) paint ballerinas in the Golden Era of Paris, believes their life would be better if only they lived in another time or place. 

Time-travelling love...here

In fact, I came away from this movie with the same message I got from Lord of the Rings (nerd alert!) As Gandalf once said: "All we can do is make the best of the time that is given to us." Or something close to that. 

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So watch it. Promise, this Woody Allen movie won't make you want to scratch your eyes out (I can't say the same for Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex - consider yourself warned.)

Now, I'm looking to you for recommendations about other books or movies I need to experience before my trip - input please!