In front of Paris' iconic bookstore Shakespeare and Company. Photos by Robert Corkery.
I finally watched the movie Midnight in Paris the other night. About 10 different friends told me that I would love the movie, so I had to check it out. And it was charming and fun and I loved the writing theme even though the film didn’t feature the best acting. But it didn’t need to. It had Paris. From the opening credits on, the movie provides eye-candy – gorgeous views along the Seine, Montmarte, Moulin Rouge, Shakespeare and Company. I absolutely loved it. And in honor of the movie and its literary plot, I added a few photos from a trip we took to Paris in January of 2010.
The bard himself.
But it got me thinking: what is it about Paris that charms the heck out of so many people, me included? It’s pretty much a cliche to say that you love Paris. Everyone wants to move to the city of lights. (On the other hand, it takes guts to move somewhere cold and dark like Stockholm, right?)
The wall newspaper.
Inside the bookstore, books are packed in everywhere.
For me, Paris is such a combination of things that I enjoy: sidewalk cafes, pain au chocolat and red wine, wide boulevards, beautiful gardens, the Louvre, the long history of celebrating writers and artists, the views from Sacré-Coeur and the Eiffel Tower, that is if the tower is not closed for some strike or another. For a literary geek like me, Paris is a romantic destination that is both pretty and captivating city. And there’s nothing wrong with that combination.
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I enjoyed it too. I especially loved the way WA made such a dope of Hemingway by putting his own written words in his mouth. Nobody talks like that. And unlike most WA films it had a message. A small one perhaps. But still there. And some good lessons for writers, I think. I particularly loved the last scene on the bridge. That could have been Stockholm. It certainly captured the romance that I feel for our adopted city. T
Beautifully said Tom. And I laughed out loud when I heard the Hemingway character speak. Hilarious.
There were definitely some good writer lessons.
Your sice sentiments about Stockholm are nice, too.
Whether it’s NYC or Paris or London Woody definitely knows how to showcase a city he loves. On a side note, it was interesting to see the way the different directors featured Stockholm in the two versions of Dragon Tattoo. Beautiful city indeed!
Kezia, Great comments. Allen also did a good job with Barcelona! As for Stockholm via the Dragon Tattoo movies, I thought it looked pretty, but a bit dark which suited the dark and dangerous themes of the movie!
Yes, Barcelona too! BTW, on a related theme…I forgot to mention a book I read a couple years ago: David Byrne’s Bicycle Diaries. He always took a folding bicycle while touring and rode around to get acquainted with where he was. His musings offer a unique take on cities and true to his personality are interesting, humorous, and quite often political. http://www.davidbyrne.com/art/books/bicycle_diaries/
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