Movie Notes: Manhattan

June 22nd, 2009

= 5 stars

Starring Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemmingway, Woody Allen
Directed by Woody Allen

Synopsis

Recently divorced Isaac Davis (Woody Allen) is dating Tracy (Mariel Hemmingway) — who is only seventeen. Meanwhile, Isaac’s good friend Yale (Michael Murphy) is cheating on his wife with Mary (Diane Keaton), and Isaac’s bitter ex Jill (Meryl Streep) is penning a tell-all book on their failed marriage.

The Good

• As with Interiors, Diane Keaton plays a notably different character from Annie Hall — Mary comes off at first as a snobbish pseudo-intellectual, but is soon revealed to be as jaded and confused as anybody.
• Tracy (Mariel Hemmingway), with her youthful optimism, is soon revealed to be a bold and mature person amid the crabby adults.
• This is a love poem to New York City, filmed in romantic black and white with cut scenes set to Gershwin music. The opening sequence alone is inspiring in its simplicity and effectiveness.

The Bad

• Isaac’s moral meandering results in an unlikable character, while Mary is quite phony and fickle. I found it had to root for either, and their cynical situations are quite a contrast to the pathetic but lovable characters in Annie Hall.
• This is the first of Allen’s films where an older man is in a relationship with a much younger woman — and it certainly isn’t the last.

Conclusion

Despite my complaints, I was consistently amazed by Manhattan’s simplicity — black and white, simple scenes of characters delivering dialogue — no spectacle or special effects. Its magical, efficient storytelling represents Allen at his best — even if I prefer that ditzy Annie Hall.

Next Woody Allen Movie: Stardust Memories
Previous Woody Allen Movie: Interiors

IMDB: Manhattan
Wikipedia: Manhattan
Rotten Tomatoes: Manhattan 97%