Review of Irrational Man (2015) by Jhep — 25 Aug 2015

WOW ! What an EXHILARATING ride ! Thank you Woody for one of your absolutely finest films; up there with Match Point, Manhattan Murder Mysteries, Small Time Crooks, Manhattan, Shadows and Fog, Radio Days, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger and- yes- Broadway Danny Rose !………Woody Allen when he‘s at home and reading Stendhal and Graham Greene……Having read the reviews I walked in expecting very little but I left the theatre having seen one of the most powerful, superbly acted and brilliantly directed films I have ever seen !

“Irrational Man” is a sort of Zen Master’s punch in the head. A “film noir” to rival Billy Wilder’s masterpiece Double Indemnity, Welles’ Touch of Evil or Carol Reeds‘ The Third Man…..….and what an amazing cast ! From the opening scene to the final shot this movie grabs you and fascinates you and has you eagerly anticipating the next plot twist. Both Emma Stone and Joaquin Phoenix grace this film with performances that can only be termed “jaw-dropping”; their talent defying you to sit back and say “well, it’s just a movie”, they COMMAND your attention every moment. What an amazing film ! What a gem!…..This is why people keep going to movies.