In the 2011 film Midnight in Paris, directed by Woody Allen, the protagonist Gil Pender, a disillusioned Hollywood screenwriter, travels back in time to 1920s Paris and meets several iconic literary and artistic figures of the era. These encounters not only inspire him creatively but also help him gain a new perspective on his life.
One of the first people Gil meets in his time-traveling adventures is Ernest Hemingway, played by Corey Stoll. Hemingway is known for his spare and direct writing style as well as his adventurous lifestyle, both of which are evident in his brief appearance in the film.
Gil seeks Hemingway’s opinion on his manuscript and gets a typically blunt response: “If it’s bad, I’ll hate it because I hate bad writing. If it’s good, I’ll be envious and hate it all the more.”
Gil later meets F. Scott Fitzgerald, played by Tom Hiddleston, and his wife Zelda Fitzgerald, played by Alison Pill. The Fitzgeralds are portrayed as glamorous but troubled figures whose lifestyles are fueled by alcohol and partying. They invite Gil to join them at a lavish gathering where he also meets Pablo Picasso (Marcial Di Fonzo Bo) and Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates).
Stein is an influential writer and art collector who was known for her support of avant-garde artists such as Picasso and Matisse. In Midnight in Paris, she is depicted as a wise but somewhat intimidating figure who dispenses advice to Gil about the nature of art: “The artist’s job is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence.”
Another notable figure that Gil encounters is Adriana (Marion Cotillard), a muse-like character who has had romantic relationships with both Picasso and Modigliani (who does not appear in the film). She becomes romantically involved with Gil and is torn between her love for him and her desire to live in an earlier era.
Overall, Gil’s meetings with these various historical figures serve as a catalyst for his own personal growth and creative development. They inspire him to pursue his dreams and embrace the present moment rather than getting lost in nostalgia for the past.