Review of Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) by Mark M — 20 Feb 2010

I chose this Allen film as my favorite perhaps because it's one of the few I've actually seen in a theater - of course I've seen about 90% of his stuff through the years on video, but this one sticks with me for several reasons.

I like his "darker" movies for one and this is probably one of the darkest. The impending sense of doom in the story is almost delicious and I believe Allen achieves an even deeper sense of reality here than in his other films (whoops - caught myself quoting here - Landau's character reflects on "reality" at the end of film - distinguishing it from the "movies").

The scathing look at the "commercialism" of cinematic art and the horrors of conforming are treats too - and all done with a outrageous yet sly sense of humor that is Allen's trademark and master craftsmanship.