Melanie Laurent-Host Opening Night Ceremony
The 64th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is in full swing today. The opening ceremony took place last night (May 11) at the Grand Théâtre Lumière located in the legendary Avenue de la Croisette in the small French Riviera town. Hosted by the young and beautiful French actress Mélanie Laurent, (“Inglorious Basterds” “Beginners”), the main guest in the ceremony seemed to be the city of New York. As president of this year’s Jury Robert de Niro received a musical tribute to his hometown and that of the festival he founded, the Tribeca Film Festival. Young jazzman Jamie Cullum played a medley of Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York and Alicia Keys’ New York. There was also a montage of de Niro’s finest film located in the big apple: “Heat,” “The Godfather,” “A Bronx Tale,” “Raging Bull” and, of course “Taxi Driver.” The selection for the Opening Night film was “Midnight inParis” directed by the most new yorker of them all:WoodyAllen. Finally, when Italian filmmakerBernardoBertolucci received his honoraryPalme d’Or, he dedicated it toAllen and de Niro.
You can watch the entire opening ceremony at:
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS: Woody Allen “Light” in the City of Lights
As charming as it may be, “Midnight in Paris” is not among Allen’s best. Even though it has most of the director’s trademarks (a neurotic, insecure main character; existential angst; infidelity and a touch of magic), it lacks the moral fiber and deep philosophical questioning of his better works.
Gil Pender (Owen Wilson), a successful Hollywood screenwriter is visiting Paris with his fiancée Inez (an effectively insufferable Rachel McAdams) and her wealthy—and equally insufferable—right wing parents. Gil regrets not staying in Paris when he had a chance earlier in his life and sees the trip as an opportunity to start his career as a novelist. However, Inez and her parents’ plans are not conducive to inspiration: all they want to do is shop, eat at fancy restaurants and see the occasional tourist attraction.
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