Every Wednesday, FM writers Simon Columb and Brogan Morris write two short reviews on Woody Allen films … in the hope of watching all his films over the course of roughly 49 weeks. If you have been watching Woody’s films and want to join in, feel free to comment with short reviews yourself! Next up is Manhattan Murder Mystery & Husbands and Wives…
Simon Columb on Manhattan Murder Mystery…
Could you be living next door to a murderer? This is the question Linda (Keaton) poses to her husband Lenny (Allen). His response is how “Well, New York is a melting pot…”. Woody Allen is on top form in this comedic, sensitive portrayal of married life. Our couple, Linda and Lenny, suspect foul play when neighbour Mrs House unexpectedly dies – and Mr House seems a little too comfortable. Initially, it is merely conversations over dinner, and phone-calls at night, but the plot thickens as we realise that the death of Mrs House isn’t as clear-cut as it seems. Running parallel, Linda and Lenny have their own demons they need to face as Linda flirts with recently-single Ted (Alan Alda) and Lenny considers playing away himself. Considering this was born of the Annie Hall script, it is clear this is one of the insightful and intelligent comedies that got away!
Brogan Morris on Husbands and Wives…
The spectacularly simple scene that opens Husbands and Wives, made up of only a few handheld long takes, sets the mood for a probing, intensely personal scrutiny of marriage and relationships. Filmed documentary style, Allen begins his film by introducing his main characters – seemingly happy married couple Gabe (Allen) and Judy (Mia Farrow), and Jack (Sydney Pollack) and Sally (Judy Davis), married couple heading for a split– as Jack and Sally casually announce to their friends they’re to separate, before going to dinner. The remainder of the film, low on stylisation, is as honestly revealing and unflinching. It’s a harshly pessimistic film – by the end, we’re left with a couple who think of marriage as a “buffer” against loneliness, a newly married couple who are content with just trying to make it work, and a lonely divorcee too browbeaten to get back in the dating game. Draining, but masterfully performed.
Brogan Morris – Lover of film, writer of words, pretentious beyond belief. Thinks Scorsese and Kubrick are the kings of cinema, but PT Anderson and David Fincher are the young princes. Follow Brogan on Twitter if you can take shameless self-promotion.
Originally published November 6, 2013. Updated April 15, 2018.
