The film is about insecurities, petty relationship issues, pretentious intellectualism, imposter syndrome and on-brand smart people making poor decisions for dumb reasons. It's also a love letter to New York City; it's skyline, it's parks, it's arts and it's cultural.
The elephant in the room is a 42 year old man dating a 17 year old high school student. And all his friends seem to think nothing of it. It's a bit on nose... And even more so for the fact that in this film, even more than his others, Woody Allen is effectively playing himself. In fact, from the setting to the music to the various film references, "Manhattan" teeters on autobiographical.
That said, "Manhattan" is an incredibly well made film. It successfully blends humor, drama, an exploration of relationships and urban life. The black and white cinematography is stunning, capturing the iconic cityscape with frenetic energy and a poetic sensibility. The film achieves a timeless quality, emphasizing the intended classic and romantic feel of the story.
Woody Allen delivers a captivating performance as the flawed and neurotic Isaac. His portrayal is both humorous and poignant, making the character both relatable and frustrating. Diane Keaton shines as Mary, bringing intelligence, wit, and a touch of vulnerability to the role. Mariel Hemingway's portrayal of the young and idealistic Tracy is equally impressive.
There's complex characters, witty dialogue, laughs, jazz and stunning visuals enough to create a lasting impression. At the end of the day though Woody Allen's character maybe as unlikable as Woody Allen. Then again, ironically, this is part of the point of the character after all.
In the final scene, Tracey says "Not everybody gets corrupted. You can have a little faith in people." I guess that's for the viewer to decide. Cut to black. Roll credit.
No comments:
Post a Comment