Review of Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) by Benjamin B — 06 Jun 2009

One of Woody's best films (though I may be one of the last people to still champion "Sleeper" as one of his best works), whenever critics and the media respond to Allen's more dramatic works as a "surprising departure", I am always slightly amused by this description, as many of his stronger comedies, such as "Crimes and Misdemeanors" and this film, are filled with just as many great dramatic moments as there are comic moments.

The fortunate thing for the audience is that both are in healthy abundance in this film detailing the lives of three sisters and the relationships around them. Pinpointing the main characters in this film is a challenge that is more trouble than its likely worth, as there are several characters in the film who all have equally strong and prominent roles.

The two that likely stand out (as they are the two that won Oscars for their performances in this film) are Michael Caine as an unfaithful husband who is having an affair with his wife's sister (Barbara Hershey), and Dianne Wiest, the repeatedly failing and jealous sister of the three characters emphasized in the title.

Caine's character really seems to dissect the psychology of the adulterous husband, and though there are moments where his actions are quite funny they are overall reflected as sad and shameful. He also is obviously the character in the film besides Woody's own character that is meant to be the "classic Woody Allen" model that is in most of his films, but Caine's articulate and charming delivery even while playing an unlikeable figure is a refreshing take on this well-established "character".

And despite what could easily be "just another adultery picture", Allen is able to break the whole situation down in a way that seems plausible and original in the context of its portrayal on film.

Of particular note is Allen himself, who as usual had me dying with laughter as a hypochondriac who later has a crisis of faith; watching Allen in disastrous interviews with religious heads of Hare Krishna and Catholicism was a side-splitting thing to witness.

I've always applauded Woody's determination to try new forms of storytelling and to go down highly personal routes in the name of comedy and skillful filmmaking, and this is one of those occasions where Woody found great success on both fronts.