Irrational Man, 2015.
Directed by Woody Allen.
Starring Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, Jamie Blackley, and Parker Posey.
SYNOPSIS:
A philosophy professor, in the midst of an existential and a moral crisis, commits an irrevocable act of murder.
Nihilistic philosophy professor Abe (Joaquin Phoenix), a newly recruited member of the fictional college campus Braylin, is immediately sought after by fellow colleague Rita (Parker Posey) and one of his students Jill (Emma Stone). The first act is entrenched in a tonally jarring malaise; any semblance of believable character agency exerted by either of the two female leads is lost. Jill’s voice over describes Abe as a tormented genius, and an irresistible allure that she, both in this manner and toward her friends, family, and boyfriend Roy (James Blackley), cannot stop talking about him. Rita’s opening gambit to notify Abe of the campus’ gossip in the “who’s fucking who” category is brash, sudden, and notably rushed. To make matters worse Abe’s self-pitying ramblings are neither insightful, despite all the Kant-laden diatribes, nor wholly focused. This consequently renders such attraction by Jill and Rita unbelievable.
In the aftermath of Abe’s meticulously plotted and successfully executed murder, he becomes upbeat, optimistic, and discovers his ethical compass has been readjusted. In coinciding with his rejuvenated vitality is a drama-cum-quasi-comedy-mystery as Jill and others decide to solve the case. The hyphenated genre title brings twofold denotations; on the one hand it’s jovial, light, and highly entertaining seeing this mystery unfold. On the other hand the acting and writing conflict with the film’s soundtrack; one will begin to wonder, “Is this darkly comedic or wholly dramatic?” Yes, Joaquin Phoenix’s transitory performance from a self-destructive quasi-misanthrope to a charming joyous man sways at this binary and produces an uncertain read. What do you want from us?
Akin to Woody Allen’s oeuvre, the literary references, the philosophical discussions, and its romanticised vision of Europe are delightfully familiar, and lean toward meta; notably in Rita’s motivation to leave her husband and to elope with Abe to a nondescript European nation/city. Yes, Irrational Man will delight dedicated Allen fans in its check-listed delivering covering love, philosophy, and literature. However, its large faults of uncertain tonal shifts and unbelievable character agency will make this either a largely forgettable Allen project or an alienating experience. Either way it’s not looking good.
Irrational Man will be out on DVD/Blu-Ray in the UK 1st February, 2016.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Matthew Lee
https://youtu.be/vDx6g5ua25E?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published February 1, 2016. Updated April 14, 2018.
