Movie Title: Manhattan
First Watch / Repeat Viewing
Running Time: 1 hr. 36 min.
Rated: R
Who did I watch with?: Stephie
Where did I watch it?: Home
Review:
Manhattan is another relationship drama starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton which serves as a sort of follow up to Annie Hall. It is a good movie, but somewhat less effective than Annie Hall.
Woody Allen plays the same type of neurotic character that is based on his own personality. This time his character goes by the name of Isaac. Diane Keaton goes by Mary and instead of being repulsed by Allen like in their previous outing they are incredibly attracted to each other, but their romance is taboo. Isaac is a television writer that has quit his job and is writing a novel. He also happens to be dating a 17 year old high school student. He meets Mary through a friend. This friend happens to be having an affair with Mary and his wife doesn’t know. He’s considering leaving her for Mary.
On the side Meryl Streep plays Isaac’s second ex-wife who left him for a woman and is writing a tell all book about their divorce. The plot is very dialogue heavy, but all the characters have excellent chemistry on screen together. Both relationships are doomed to fail. Mary and Isaac slowly drift together. It’s a Woody Allen movie, so the odds are always against the relationship.
Verdict:
It is a good dialogue driven comedy, but Annie Hall is superior. See it.
Tomorrow’s Movie: Brooklyn (2015)
Movie Title: Brooklyn
First Watch / Repeat Viewing
Running Time: 1 hr. and 57 min.
Rated: PG-13
Who did I watch with?: Stephie
Where did I watch it?: Home
Review:
Brooklyn stars Saoirse Ronan as Eilis. Eilis’s story is a fairly typical immigrant story. In Ireland she lived in a small house with her sister and her mother. Her sister saved up money to send her to America with the help of an Irish priest living in Brooklyn. He sets her up with a job at a department store, a living situation in a boarding house, and a social circle.
After an initial bout of homesickness, she starts going out with Tony (Emory Cohen) which trends in a fairly predictable direction. After a tragedy strikes back home she is forced to return to Ireland. It builds to a conclusion in which she has to make a choice whether to return home or stay in America.
The performances are all very well done. The scenery is excellent and the music fitting. It is well done, but also has a plot that is fairly predictable in almost all regards.
Verdict:
It is a good period piece and Saiorse Ronan will continue to build her star. See it.
Tomorrow’s Movie: Logan (2017)
