Carolyn Hastings

My Week with Marilyn

October 9, 2012 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

I am not usually drawn to dysfunctional people. I was 10 years old when this account of Marilyn Monroe’s life was playing out and to tell you the truth I was much more enamored with Elvis Presley. Both Marilyn and Elvis enjoyed or hated their lives depending on who you’re asking.

Having recently graduated from Oxford, Colin Clark sets out to make his way in the Film Industry. After much persistence, he is given the position of 3^rd Assistant to the Director on a Marilyn Monroe film originally called The Sleeping Prince (later The Prince and the Showgirl). He basically follows the director around and does his bidding. The awestruck Colin finds himself so drawn to Marilyn that he becomes her self-appointed protector.

Sir Laurence Olivier, played by the marvelous Kenneth Branagh, is the Director of the film and also the lead actor. Larry is intrigued by Marilyn but finds her extremely difficult to work with. There is some eluding to her drinking and drug habits but for the most part her unpredictability is chalked up to stardom. Judi Dench is wonderful as Dame Sybil Thorndike who seems to always be trying to ease the tension on the set.

As the title implies, Colin (Eddie Redmayne) and Marilyn (Michelle Wiliams) become fast friends and even more for a time. Marilyn is married to playwright, Arthur Miller (Dougrary Scott), but during this week they argue, separate and he goes home, leaving Marilyn with a void in her life. Colin fills that for her.

As I said, dysfunctional doesn’t really work for me, but in this case I look at her life and wonder if she’s dealing with a full deck. I ‘get’ that she has abandonment issues. When Colin asks her about the pictures by her bed she tells him, “That’s my Mommy. She bought me a white piano right before they took her away to the insane asylum.” The other picture was of Abraham Lincoln and she says she never knew her father so Lincoln was as good as anyone.

It may sound like I didn’t like My Week with Marilyn. I actually liked it very much for plethora of reasons. The acting was credible, the scenery enchanting, the characters complex. Simon Curtis did a brilliant job as Director. I even think it was cast well.

I’m still trying to figure out if Marilyn Monroe was delusional, drugged or just plain spoiled. She used people and discarded them. She complained about her life but wouldn’t change it. When Colin asked her to give it all up, be with him and be happy she replied, “I am happy.” Did she have the strength to change or was she so addicted to the worship because of her abandonment issues that she just didn’t want to change her life? We will never really know. What My Week with Marilyn does shows us is glimpse into the private life of the breathtaking Marilyn. Who was the real Marilyn Monroe? Free-spirit? Child? Or the sex-kitten that came out at Oxford when she says to Colin, “Shall I be her?”

Sir Laurence summed up her acting by saying, “She had no training, no craft, just pure instinct and she remained brilliant in spite of me.” I highly recommend you rent or buy My Week with Marilyn and let me know what you think at chastings@rockcliff.com.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

September 3, 2012 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is billed as an inspirational comedy, probably by the Brits. Actually, it’s more of a “when hell freezes over” movie. Dr. Alfred “Fred” Jones is Britain’s leading fishing authority. o some, that may a dubious honor but to fishing enthusiasts, our Asperger’s Syndrome leading man is right up there next to God. Fred’s problem? No faith. But let’s step back a moment. Fred (Ewan McGregor) leads a pretty boring life. He has a ho-hum marriage and a job with a government-style office. One day he gets an email from Harriet Chetwode-Talbot who represents a wealthy sheik with a novel idea—strike that—a passion. Our visionary Sheik has a passion for salmon fishing and believes his passion can enrich the lives of his people. He dreams of bringing salmon fishing to the not so fish-friendly desert of Yemen.

The sheik enlists Harriet (Emily Blunt) to bring water and fish to his desert. Willing to spare no expense, Harriet is dispatched to turn the dream into a reality—no small task! Knowing nothing about fish or fishing, she turns to Fred. I think this is where the ‘when hell freezes over’ comes in. Fred thinks the project both absurd and unachievable and flatly declines to help.

About the same time, Patricia Maxwell (Kristen Scott Thomas), the Prime Minister’s overzealous Press Secretary, is taking a beating from the voting public over all the disturbing news from Afghanistan and is looking for a ‘good will’ story, fast. When someone suggests the story about the sheik’s idea, she latches on to it with all the power her office can muster. Now, this unlikely team will put it all on the line and embark on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible, possible.

Now, if you think I’ve spoiled the movie with too much info, you’re wrong. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is directed by one of Sweden’s most renowned directors, Lasse Hallstrom. Lasse has way too many fine movies on his resume to name but Chocolat, Cider House Rules and Something to Talk About are some of my favorites. Simon Beafoy is the screenwriter and his many credits include, Slumdog Millionaire and Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire. The cinematography is stunning and creative; I especially liked the scene when Fred is returning from his meeting with Harriet. The camera angle is from above and he appears to be swimming upstream against the flow of pedestrians.

There are references to faith. When the sheik asks Fred if he has faith he answers, “no.” When the Sheik responds that he must have faith, Fred says when things get tricky in his life he “talks to his fish.” Egyptian actor, Amr Waked, plays the sheik. He has the presence of Omar Shariff with even more mesmerizing good looks. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is an interesting journey, from private jets to tents in the desert. It is exceptionally well done and visually impactful. Of course, there is a little bit of complexity in the relationship department but nothing too unpredictable. I would love to hear your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

ALIVE at the Movies – We Bought A Zoo

August 5, 2012 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

I originally viewed this movie thinking I wanted some summer fun. It wasn’t what I thought (not sure I had any pre-conceived ideas) but I truly liked it and I think you will as well.

We Bought a Zoo, based on a true story, is about family, grief, taking risks and a love that stays with you. Benjamin, (Matt Damon) is a successful adventure writer. Flying into the eye of a hurricane to get a story just made his blood pump. As the story unfolds, Benjamin is juggling a beautiful, but much too responsible seven year-old daughter named Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) and a sullen, angry fourteen year-old son by the name of Dylan (Colin Ford). Benjamin’s wife had passed away six months earlier and everything in their lives seemed like a challenge. Quitting his job, Benjamin isn’t sure where he’s going, it just isn’t where he is; the streets where every turn reminds him of his beloved wife.

One night as Rosie is once again kept awake by the partying neighbors, Benjamin decides it’s time for a new home. The next day they are in the car with a real estate agent who wants to make them his very first sale but just doesn’t want it to be the “home with a zoo” that Rosie finds in the stack of home listings.

The Zoo is a rundown local zoo that has been maintained by the state government until it could be sold and re-opened. The buyers would be required to do just that. Rosie and Benjamin decide the new “family business” would be quite an adventure and the next thing you know the family is leaving the city and moving into the ram shackled home on the property. Of course, there is always a voice of reason and that would be Benjamin’s brother, Duncan (Thomas Hayden Church) who is promptly overridden. As well as purchasing a rather large contingency of wild animals, they inherit the zoo staff, a rather eclectic group of dedicated animal lovers. Scarlett Johansson plays the hardworking Kelly Foster, the Zookeeper. They quickly realize the zoo is a money pit and the deadline for re-opening is looming.

Benjamin had lived his whole life by what his older brother, Duncan had told him as a child; when the situation called for bravery, “you only need 20 seconds of insane courage”. This advice was crucial when facing down the runaway bear or wading into the middle of a yard full of exotic snakes.

We Bought A Zoo, Director, Cameron Crowe of Jerry McGuire fame brings us a heartwarming true drama about a family uniting together to overcome a tragedy. The family is rewarded for taking a risk, banding together and working hard proving that if you do something for the right reasons nothing can stop you.

By the way, the Mees family still live on the property at the Dartmoor Zoo and it is considered one of the best designed and operated zoos in the country. There’s a small amount of language and some “dark” art by Dylan so you might want to take that into consideration for small children.We Bought a Zoo is easily available and worth the bucks to rent for a delightful summer evening of family fun. As always I look forward to your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

Alive at the Movies – Seven Days in Utopia

July 7, 2012 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

For the most part, golf movies are not at the top of my list. Maybe that’s because I’ve tried (even took lessons) and never really found the rhythm of the game. I loved the socializing. I even loved being out in a lush green environment on a beautiful sunny day but just never enjoyed spending four hours playing a game and then another two at the clubhouse, drink in hand rehashing every moment.

Seven Days in Utopia is a golf movie, but it’s not as much about the game of golf as it is about the game of life. Last year I reviewed the sleeper movie, Get Low. I wrote, “newcomer Lucas Black stands out by stepping back,” well, I am happy to say Lucas is stepping forward in Utopia and looking great as Luke Chisolm, budding pro golfer.

Luke’s father has been grooming him to be a pro golfer most of his life. A natural talent, he finally gets to the spot on the green where it looks like he’s going to bridge from amateur to pro and he has a complete meltdown right in front of millions of people on the golf channel. His father walks off, gets in his car and drives away. Luke wants to be anywhere but there.

After almost running into a bull on a lonely country road, Luke finds himself sitting by his wrecked car in a field of cow paddies. Up rides Johnny Crawford on his horse. Johnny, played by the amazing Robert Duvall (also cast in Get Low), welcomes Luke to Utopia, Texas, population 355. This is the start of Luke’s Seven Days in Utopia.

Johnny takes Luke to the Lost Maples Café where it seems everyone in town is gathered. He is introduced and his wounds are tended. Johnny seems to own most of the businesses in town including the local B & B. While snooping around, Luke wanders into Johnny’s den and realizes from all the memorabilia that Johnny used to be, in fact a pro golfer, so when he offers him lessons, Luke accepts. Herein begins the journey; Johnny was offering more than lessons on golf. By the way, did I tell you that Utopia has a golf course, yup … owned by Johnny? For the next seven days, Luke gets lessons in fly fishing, art, rodeo; you name it, different day, different lesson. The first step was to find his conviction about his foundation. The second was never let a casual comment erode your confidence. Luke learns to SFT; See, Feel, Trust. The lessons and the healing just kept coming.

Of course, most good movies have a little of everything so we do have Johnny’s strawberry blonde, wholesome as sunshine niece, Sarah (Deborah Ann Wohl) and her supposed boyfriend. There are sparks but this early budding relationship is definitely not the focal point of the movie, so you guys don’t have to fidget.

All in all, this is a wonderful movie about mentorship and learning why we do what we do. If we’re blessed enough we learn that “we don’t need a ball to validate us.” I highly recommend Seven Days in Utopia. I welcome your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

ALIVE at the Movies – The Vow

June 10, 2012 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about “throw-away” marriages and I’ve got to say it breaks my heart. I’m not sure what the cause is, much less the cure, but I suspect the reasons are multi-faceted.

I enjoyed The Vow primarily because it is a film based on a true story with an incredible message. Leo (Channing Tatum) and Paige (Rachel McAdams) are newly and blissfully married. On their way home one snowy Chicago evening they have a tragic accident and Paige is thrown through the car windshield and suffers a severe brain injury. After weeks in a deep coma Paige awakens to her old world; her old, old world. She has lost the last five years of her life, including Leo.

Now, in case this is not problematic enough, she has lost all feelings for him as well. What is truly problematic is that she does remember her well-to-do family and former fiancé, all of whom Leo has never even met. So now, we’ve got the good guy, (new) husband, trying to start all over again creating a relationship when his wife has memories and, she thinks, feelings for this whole other life before Leo.

Even though Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum have both starred in a Nicholas Sparks movie or two, I want to mention that The Vow feels to me to be more of a drama-romance than a romance-drama. This should be somewhat of a relief to some of you guys who don’t tend to cry at movies. Besides, this one ends well.

The book, “The Vow: The True Story Behind the Movie,” was written by Kim Carpenter. The story is untouched by Hollywood of Kim and Krickett Carpenter. The main difference is that the real people shared a faith that was the core of the story. This doesn’t mean the situation was easy, just different. Not only was Krickett’s memory gone, the amnesia appeared to alter her personality. Kim was quite literally married to a different person. This is when their vows kicked in. “Til death do we part” left him with a wife who didn’t know him, maybe didn’t want to and had a dramatic personality change. I wonder, what would I do?

Kim, a baseball coach went back on road with his team after the insistence of his in-laws. He called every evening to speak to a wife who didn’t really want to talk to him. This went on for weeks when one night, a little later than usual, he summoned the strength the call yet again. When his mother in law answered the phone she said the words he had been waiting to hear, “There’s somebody here who wants to talk to you.” Even though when Krickett got on the phone all she said was “Got to go now, bye,” it was the encouragement that he needed.

The Vow has an all-around good cast including Jessica Lange and Sam Neil as Paige’s parents and Scott Speedman as Jeremy the low-life (oops, almost gave it away) old fiancé.

Whether you’re married for the first time or want whatever marriage you’re in to be your last, watch The Vow, read the book or both. This #1 box office hit may just save a few marriages! As always, I welcome your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

ALIVE at the Movies: Gattaca

May 1, 2012 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

“How perfect does your child have to be?”

Vincent Freeman (interesting last name) is a God Child conceived on the Riviera. The car, that is.

Gattaca is Science Fiction Drama at its finest; a little bit out there and a whole lot believable. Released in 1998, this film still seems fresh. Somehow, Sci-Fi isn’t supposed to seem believable after 14 years. Back to the Riviera. Vincent’s (Ethan Hawke) parents created a God Child in a time when genetic engineering was “just what you did” if you could afford it. He had flaws compared to what he could have been. His brother born a little later got the advantage, a better genetic quotient.

Vincent spent his life comparing himself to his brother and striving against all odds for a different life. He dreamed of breaking free from society’s constraints and traveling into space. His vision was to be a Navigator for the Gattaca Corporation.

Problem One … Navigators had to be “Valids”. If you were one of the natural born minority, there was no future in space flight. Enters Tony Shalhoub, under the radar, DNA Broker and Jerome Morrow (Jude Law), a “Valid” with a broken body.

I am so tempted to tell you how they did it, but I won’t. Vincent aka Jerome is accepted at Gattaca and begins to prepare for his space journey. Boy meets girl, Uma Thurman, who also works for Gattaca. His “Valid” brother also comes into the picture creating the tension a good movie needs. New Zealand screenwriter Andrew Niccol has his Directorial debut along with Alan Arkin who also acts in this film.

One of the things I thought kind of creepy was the automaton aspect of the employees of Gattaca. They dressed alike, talked alike and almost looked alike. As they entered the building they went through a type of turn-style that pricked their fingers for a blood sample to determine their validity. This is an environment that one eyelash could give away a ruse.

Gattaca is so morally complex; I’m not sure where to start. Can anyone spell HITLER? Have you read about the work of Planned Parenthood in the Appalachians? Eugenics is an evil thing. That is one woman’s perspective. Designer children are an abomination to God. He doesn’t make junk and I think anyone who ever raised a handicapped child would agree. Vincent’s parents believed that a child of love would be happier so they put their faith in God’s hands. Then the specialists started talking to them about what could be done to improve their next child. The genetic engineering vs. education and experience is one topic still bandied about depending on what social circles you enjoy. I truly understand wanting what is best for your child. In some cities people are vying for a slot in a pre-school before their child is born. (So much for Big Bird!) We have a Creator who fashions perfect specimens every day, every minute.

I would ask a bigger question. What “validates” you? Do people validate you? Does your degree on the wall or money in the bank validate you? Hmmm. The movie starts with a quote on the screen, “Consider what God has done; who can straighten what He has made crooked?” This isn’t fatalism but a reminder of who God is. So, to quote Vincent at the beginning of this movie, “How perfect does your child have to be?”

I write, but it is perfectly okay to push back. Either way, watch the movie and tell me what you think at chastings@rockcliff.com.

One Night With The King

April 4, 2012 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

In case you think I’m getting prematurely dotty, I willingly admit that I reviewed this One Night With The King in early 2008. A lot has happened since then to make me feel the need to dust it off. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a huge crowd recently at the AIPAC (American Israeli Public Affairs Committee) 2012. In his speech he spoke about America’s long standing and amazing relationship with Israel. He also spoke of the real and present danger of a nuclear Iran. Since the timing is almost concurrent with the Hebrew Festival of Purin he spoke of Queen Esther. He even gave President Obama a copy of the Megilah of Esther, a scroll that recounts the heroics of Queen Esther in ancient Persia. If you don’t know who Esther was or about her pivotal role in history, you need to watch this movie. The speech and the gift have a message but I will leave you to decipher that.

You take one young orphan girl and one hunky king and you have the making of a luscious tale. This one is a true tale, chronicled by history. The life of Esther is one of the most inspiring Biblical accounts found in the Old Testament. Much beloved by Jews, Christians and Persians alike, Esther is the story of deliverance for the Jewish people.

One Night With The King has lavish costumes, giggling harems, a vast ancient city, huge armies, black riders, and blood feuds. Yet, it is truly the story of a young woman, a Jew, living in exile in Susa, Persia with her cousin in about 485 BC.

There is a back-story of a 400 year-old feud between the Jews and the Agagites that intertwines throughout the movie. This is a part of the story I had never heard and helped me have a better understanding of this period in history. This is an intricately woven story with intrigues, treachery and comeuppance a plenty, but you need to pay attention.

Esther, played by newcomer, Tiffany Dupont is fresh and beautiful and offsets King Xerxes (did I mention that he is hunky?) played by Luke Goss. There are stunning performances by screen legends, Peter O’Toole, Omar Sharif and John Rhys-Davies that rounds out the cast nicely.

Based on the best-selling novel “Hadassah: One Night With The King,” by Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen, this dramatic big-screen adaptation chronicles Esther’s (Hadassah) rise from peasant to queen, her courageous role in the redemption of her people from destruction and death, and her winning of the love of the most powerful man in the kingdom—by seeking his heart rather than the riches of his kingdom.

One Night With The King was shot entirely on location in Rajasthan — India’s very own land of the kings. Digital vistas were added to this Indian castle to recreate the ancient capital, Persepolis. One Night with the King exudes exotic splendor. I have yet to figure out what catches the attention of the “Academy” but in my humble opinion this movie should have at least been nominated for an Oscar for costume and set design. The costumes alone are worth your time and money to rent this movie. Hope you have a big screen, this movie is majestic! As always, I welcome your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com

The Help – ALIVE at the Movies

March 10, 2012 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

Last summer my daughter shared a book she had just read with me. Now, I love to read but by this time the movie was ready to hit the theaters, so there I was, standing in line for popcorn.

I lived in the south in the mid 60’s for a short period of time and being a 20 year old native Californian, it was a whole new world. I was white and I was teased for my “weird” accent but that was the least of my education. I felt a little like Alice in Wonderland falling down a rabbit hole where everything seemed to be topsy-turvy. “Colored” public water fountains and rest rooms were the norm. I understand the history that created the situation but as a temporary resident, it totally baffled me.

The Help takes place in the 60’s in the south. The movie, based on Kathryn Stockett’s book of the same name, was written and directed by Tate Taylor. This movie is brimming with believable, likeable women characters.

As a privileged white woman, Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan is all grown up and has just graduated from “Ole’ Miss.” She’s back home and like her friends, expected to get married and have a family. She is smart, ambitious and wants to be a writer. She gets a job with a newspaper writing, what else, the Household Hints column. Most of her friends didn’t go to college and have already begun the obligatory bridge parties and baby showers.

Tate Taylor has a story to tell and he doesn’t let us see much of the political activity but we feel its pressure in the anxiety of the black women and the tight lipped anger of the whites. These young women are idle, snobbish and have hardened to condescending racists.

Observing this after having been away, Skeeter decides to write a book about “The Help.” She has no idea how hard it is going to be to get any black maid to confide in her, much less enough of them to make a story, but she keeps trying and assuring them that it’s a story that needs to be told. One by one they start to come around, all for different reasons. The stories that come from the hearts of these women are heartrending, sometimes heartbreaking and sometimes joyful.

I won’t spoil the sub plots but I loved this movie. These ladies, with their secret writing project are breaking all the societal rules and putting everything at risk. Sometimes they’re scared, but mostly they are having a great time coming out of their generationally and geographically imposed shell. Skeeter is played by amazingly versatile, Emma Stone. Octavia L. Spencer is delightfully feisty as Minny Three. Emma’s friend, Hilly Holbrook, someone whose mother should have paddled her behind more often, is played by Bryce Dallas Howard. Last, but certainly not least, is the stoic Aibileen, masterfully played by Viola Davis. Sissy Spacek, Jessica Chastain and Allison Janneys round out this stellar cast. Together you get a morally serious and touching movie that manages to have a goosey, gossipy quality with a heavy dose of villainy.

One scene has the maid holding her young charge and softly saying to her, “You is smart, you is kind, you is important.” This is the same child who will grow up to follow her mother down the path of bigotry. Watch The Help, you’ll love it and as always, I welcome your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

Courageous – ALIVE at the Movies

January 29, 2012 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

My son and son-in-law are both incredible dads. I am blessed. My grandchildren are blessed. Dad-ship variables are many. How many hours they work? Do their wives work? Are they single dads? What are their socio-economic factors? Heritage? Role models? The influences are many and varied.

Courageous is about four men with one calling: to protect and to serve. As law enforcement officers Adam Mitchell (Alex Kendrick), Nathan Hayes (Ken Bevel), Shane Fuller (Kevin Downes) and David Thomson (Ben Davies) are confident and focused yet when they go home at the end of their shifts they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle – fatherhood.

Life keeps happening, day after day until one day … tragedy happens. Veteran police officer, Adam Mitchell’s family begins to unravel and he understands he has to do something. He goes to his source of strength, God and begins the journey. He puts his plan into action. His police force brothers gather around him and together they take up the challenge of being the best they can be in a totally different arena.

The latest installment of life according to Sherwood Baptist church in Albany, Georgia, shouldn’t be dismissed lightly. The picture-making church keeps stepping up to the plate and hitting it out of the park. I have to admit that I’ve seen all four films. They went from a sweet little film called Flywheel to their next film, Facing the Giants. Then with the help of Kirk Cameron, the only actor with any name recognition to be in any of their films, they made Fireproof. They had finally pulled out of the totally low-budget movie ranks and made a film of substance. With Courageous, Sherwood has once again stepped up their game.

As their fourth film, this action packed police drama will make you laugh, cry and cheer as you are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kind of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.

Hokey? Probably, but none the less, I loved it. I loved that there are still real men in this world that put their families first; men who are passionate, yes, passionate about being good old-fashioned family men. Not the best CEO, not the best truck driver, not even the best doctor … the best dad. Men who take pride in being the best they can be and understanding in the depths of their souls that HONOR BEGINS AT HOME.

I’m sure most would agree that Courageous doesn’t have the best acting, the best directing or the best anything when it comes to film making. This film will never win an Oscar, but somehow I don’t think that is what it was meant to do. I suspect it was meant to do just what it’s doing, making us think about how we live our lives on a day to day basis. Courageous does a wonderful job of making you listen a little more, throw the ball a little more and savor every moment.

So, if you’re interested in a life of significance the message of Courageous is Fathers, Man-Up. Once again, I’m open to your insight at chastings@rockcliff.com.

Midnight in Paris: ALIVE at the Movies

December 31, 2011 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

I love quirky movies and Midnight in Paris couldn’t be quirkier. When this film was first released I had several friends who told me I had to see it. In my book, the only thing better than a good movie is traveling…almost anywhere. Well, Paris doesn’t fall into the “almost anywhere” category, but the moment I sat down in the theater with my popcorn I was reeled in—hook, line and sinker.

Gil (Owen Wilson) is a successful Hollywood screenwriter engaged to Inez (Rachel McAdams) who loves him very much or at least what their life together would be. Rachel’s parents are going to Paris on a business trip and have asked Gil and Rachel to tag along. Gil thinks this is a perfect time to work on his novel, Rachel wants to shop and party.

Having lived in Paris for a short time in his 20’s, Gil had aspirations in his youth to be a serious writer. Opportunities came and he realized he was a good screenwriter. The literary dreams were postponed and he woke up ten years later, successful and unfulfilled and craving Paris.

But he’s back and decides to leave Inez and her mother to their shopping and wander the streets seeking inspiration. Inez’ shopping turns into dinner parties with friends from America and his daytime meanderings become forays after dark. One night while sitting on some steps in a neighborhood, he’s not sure where, a group of partiers in a vintage automobile stop and entreat him in, in to a whole new world, a whole new era. This YouTube age writer finds himself meeting icons and idols of a bygone era.

His new found friends are F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda, Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway and all their friends. They meld him into their lives and their hearts. This is the life he was meant to live and all it took was a magical stroll through a magnificent city. Gil had found his groove amongst a lost generation.

I’ve never been much of a Woody Allen fan but he loves Paris and his love is epitomized in Midnight in Paris. The last time I was in Paris I spent most of the day riding the “spokes” of the city to the outskirts of town and back. The scenery is real yet ethereal. The plot is fanciful. I never found F. Scott Fitzgerald that day but maybe I wasn’t looking for the magical.

The take-away from this movie though, is that we need to learn to enjoy the present for all it’s worth. It’s a little like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, in the end there’s no place like home.

This is a loving embrace of the city, art, and of life itself. Midnight in Paris is charming, clever and wickedly astute. Allen said that he got a great enjoyment out of presenting Paris to the cinematic audience the way he sees it. To me, the way he sees it is literate and beauty filled and yes, quirky. This film is predictably unpredictable! For an evening of pure fantasy (it’s a little like falling down a rabbit hole) it’s purely delightful.

As always, I invite your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.