Movie Notes: Manhattan Murder Mystery

July 6th, 2009

= 4 stars

Starring Diane Keaton, Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston
Directed by Woody Allen

Synopsis

New York couple Larry (Woody Allen) and Carol Lipton (Diane Keaton) learn an elderly female neighbor has died. They suspect surviving husband Paul is guilty of foul play.

The Good

• Keaton’s first movie with Allen since Manhattan, and thankfully, their comic chemistry is retained. The couple’s age is acknowledged plot-wise, as Carol’s suspicions are met with skepticism due to the distinct possibility that she’s bored and just looking for some midlife adventure. There’s a message about rekindling excitement in a long-term relationship, and rediscovering teamwork to solve a problem.
• Some truly suspenseful moments: deft direction when Carol ill-advisedly sneaks into Paul’s apartment, and the final movie theater moments. Both the reality of the murder and its perpetrator are kept in doubt until late in the film, as with Hitchcock’s Rear Window.
• Some truly funny moments, my favorite comes near the end with Larry and Carol trapped in an elevator and some jealousy on Carol’s part of the dark, poker playing Marcia (Angelica Huston).

The Bad

• Much else feels rehashed from earlier films. Larry is indistinguishable from any other Allen character.
• The morality of the murder / mystery plot isn’t the focus: this adventure is all for laughs and anything sinister happens to folks other than the main characters.

Conclusion

A light, fun, farce that does the near-impossible: make an Annie Hall sequel seem like a somewhat good idea. Recommended.

Next Woody Allen Movie: Bullets Over Broadway
Previous Woody Allen Movie: Husbands And Wives

IMDB: Manhattan Murder Mystery
Wikipedia: Manhattan Murder Mystery
Rotten Tomatoes: Manhattan Murder Mystery 86%