Review of Cassandra's Dream (2007) by Adam E — 02 Jan 2011

Scoop was probably his most underrated film to date but Woody Allen connoisseurs know that even his most unknown and underrated films have their spark of genius lurking around (Shadows and Fog, Deconstructing Harry, Anything Else, Scoop.

..). Even Cassandra's Dream is no exception, with Allen proving himself quite a master of suspense in this Hitchcockian Dostoievsky-style study on the morality of murder. His latest films feel more like musings than fully thought through stories.

Cassandra's Dream is essentially Match Point without the sex and the tennis but with a much less pessimistic view on life. Match Point rejoiced in its lack of punishment, its its dark and cold morality.

Cassandra's Dream however adds regret, guilt, fear of god and an eventual (rightful?) punishment. Has Woody rethought through the whole idea of luck as the main thorn in punishment's side? Or is he still musing? Either way, it makes for a compelling film.

One which feels less confident and which looks much less stylish than Match Point but which still throws interesting, subtle ideas and musings out there in a gritty and unsympathetic world. Farrell and McGregor are both terrific in refreshingly against-type roles.

Unfortunately the ending is rushed and feels muddled letting a film, which otherwise would have been a delighfully dark and ironic tragedy, down. Still, well worth seeing.