If you are a fan of Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris,” then you must have noticed how the movie is filled with references to various famous people. From artists to writers, musicians to intellectuals, the movie features a plethora of iconic figures from the past. In this article, we will take a closer look at all the famous people mentioned in Midnight in Paris and explore their significance in the film.
The Plot of Midnight in Paris
Before we dive into the list of famous figures, let’s briefly go over the plot of Midnight in Paris. The movie follows Gil Pender (played by Owen Wilson), a successful Hollywood screenwriter who is struggling to finish his first novel.
While on vacation with his fiancée Inez (Rachel McAdams) and her parents in Paris, Gil finds himself transported to 1920s Paris every night at midnight. There he meets some of his literary idols and falls in love with Adriana (Marion Cotillard), a mistress of Pablo Picasso.
Famous People Mentioned in Midnight in Paris
- Ernest Hemingway: The movie opens with Gil narrating a story about how he met Ernest Hemingway at a bar. Hemingway is one of the most famous American writers of the 20th century and is known for his novels such as “The Sun Also Rises” and “A Farewell to Arms.” In the movie, Hemingway becomes one of Gil’s friends and offers him advice on writing.
- Pablo Picasso: Pablo Picasso was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He is best known for co-founding Cubism and for his works such as “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” and “Guernica.” In Midnight in Paris, Gil meets Picasso’s mistress Adriana and falls in love with her.
- Gilbert and Sullivan: Gilbert and Sullivan were a British duo who composed several popular operettas in the late 19th century. In the movie, they are mentioned as some of the guests at a party that Gil attends in the 1890s.
- Salvador Dalí: Salvador Dalí was a Spanish artist who is best known for his surrealist paintings. In Midnight in Paris, Gil meets Dalí at a party and they engage in a bizarre conversation about time and ants.
- Luis Buñuel: Luis Buñuel was a Spanish filmmaker who is known for his surrealist films such as “Un Chien Andalou” and “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie.” In the movie, Gil meets Buñuel at a party where he pitches an idea for a film.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald: F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American writer who is known for his novels such as “The Great Gatsby” and “Tender Is the Night.” In Midnight in Paris, Fitzgerald becomes one of Gil’s friends and offers him advice on writing.
- Gertrude Stein: Gertrude Stein was an American writer who spent most of her life in Paris. She is best known for her experimental writing style and for being a patron of modern art. In the movie, Gil meets Stein at her famous salon where she hosts many famous writers and artists.
- T.S. Eliot: T.
Eliot was an American-British writer who is best known for his poems such as “The Waste Land” and “Four Quartets.” In Midnight in Paris, Eliot becomes one of Gil’s friends and offers him advice on writing.
- Zelda Fitzgerald: Zelda Fitzgerald was an American writer and socialite who was married to F. Scott Fitzgerald. In the movie, she is portrayed as a fun-loving flapper who parties with Gil and the other writers.
The Significance of These Famous Figures in Midnight in Paris
The famous people mentioned in Midnight in Paris are not just there for show; they play a significant role in the movie’s themes and motifs. The movie explores the idea of nostalgia and how we often romanticize the past, thinking that it was better than our present. By having Gil meet these iconic figures from the past, the movie shows how we tend to idolize certain eras and people without truly understanding them.
Furthermore, each famous figure represents a different artistic movement or cultural phenomenon. From Hemingway’s masculinity to Dalí’s surrealism, each character embodies a specific aspect of art and literature. By having Gil interact with them, the movie highlights how different artists influence each other and how their ideas continue to inspire us today.
The Bottom Line
Midnight in Paris is not just a love letter to Paris; it’s also a celebration of art and literature. By featuring so many iconic figures from history, Woody Allen creates a world where nostalgia meets reality, where our idols become our friends, and where art continues to inspire us through time.