Review of Café Society (2016) by Cnakhla — 14 Mar 2017

Overall this film had some enjoyable moments and was shot thoughtfully by Vittorio Storaro. However, the story felt un-original in its classic Allen 'young attractive girl with older man' framework, yet also satisfying the requisite of the nerdy young man also having the love of the attractive woman.

My interpretation was that Allen split himself into two characters in this story. Jessie Eisenberg, so accurately it is annoying, plays the character of a young Woody like that of Annie Hall, he is an unappreciated and lovable 'boy next door' who gains the attraction of Diane Keaton/Kristen Stewart for no apparent or logical reason.

While Carrel was playing the older more successful Allen, who is wealthy but loving, and also happens to end up with a beautiful young wife (leaving his older first wife who we never meet). If I didn't know who Allen was or hadn't seen any of his other films then perhaps I would have found this story more interesting.

However the stripped down plot of the relationships portrayed were unoriginal and brought nothing new to cinema. For such a renowned film maker, I am still waiting for something more from Woody Allen.