Review of Manhattan (1979) by Paul Y — 04 Jun 2014

We can all see part of ourselves in Isaac/Allen. The film is nostalgic, wistful, yet with no intention of depicting a story from a single lens or to a single destination. What truly clicked within me are the few subtle moments filled with Isaac's mumbling and his looking away.

Allen said "he has no problem in meeting women", yet with some careful thought, we realized he has no problem drawing women's attention, but failed at maintaining them. As in "Chapter 1", New York meant beautiful women and street smart guys who know all the angles.

Isaac is witty, but not in the same way as the street smart guys. The women Isaac met are all beautiful, yet they're not particularly after Isaac's gifts. With an identity crisis, Isaac holds too strong of an ideal that's most likely developed from unsuccessful attempts with women and life.

An intangible ideal is perfect for escaping reality and putting oneself at a higher ground above anything else. Yet Isaac is just an ordinary guy, with a witty sense of humor, chasing after delicately decorated faces, shaped by modern advertising, only with a romantic touch of his own interpretations.

Allen Woody was absolutely incredible at interpreting the character that has struck my emotions so hard with the subtle, delicate moments.