How to describe this movie? well it's a comedy, a farce, a romance, a drama, a fantasy, it could be anything. Woody Allen has a great knack for saying and doing things in his movies that can sometimes be absurdly funny or dramatically poignant. This movie, along with his other classic Annie Hall (1977), are good examples.I mentioned this movie in an older post and found that particular post to be fairly popular, anyway here's my review on this movie.
It stars Woody Allen (who wrote and directed as well), Mira Sorvino, Helena Bonham carter and F. Murray Abraham (who played the 'Leader'). All performances were great. Say what you will about Woody Allen, the man is a great filmmaker. Mira Sorvino, who won a 'best supporting actress' Oscar for this movie (even though she was one of the leads), was wonderful, some people didn't like the performance, i thought it was great. She was damned funny and also showed a lot of heart in the role.
Woody Allen plays Lenny Weinrib, Helena Bonham Carter plays his wife Amanda (no she really does), they adopt a son whom they name Max. Max turns out to be a genius, prompting Lenny to seek out Max's birth mother- Who is Linda Ash aka Lesley Wright aka Judy Cum (Sorvino). A hooker/porn star/wannabe actress. And definitely not a genius. Lenny sets out to change Linda's life while also dealing with his own. All turn out very likeable performances, but none more than Sorvino and Allen (who is pretty adept at playing the likeable schmuck).
This movie was great. it was funny, heartwarming, well acted and had a solid script. It has a unique story flow (there is a chorus telling the story of Oedipus interwoven throughout) and it is really just an exceptionally good movie. Can i recommend it to all? Well i could but not all would like it. people who don't 'get' Woody Allen movies will be confused in a few parts and may not get the humour. Just on a side note: I think that it will be hard for Allen to top this movie.
"Who is the boss? You have to ask that? i'm the boss. Mummy is only the decision maker" Lenny Weinrib (Woody Allen), Mighty Aphrodite
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