Review of Manhattan (1979) by Philip Z — 23 Nov 2013
I might actually like this film more than I like Annie Hall. The only real quibble I've got can be aimed at just about every Woody Allen film, and that is: why do all of these gorgeous women date a guy who looks like Woody Allen? I mean, is he supposed to be playing himself in all of these films? In the world of his movies, is he this big time celebrity just as he is in real life? It's not that I have anything against beautiful women choosing the scrawny bookworm type, in fact, I welcome it.
It's just, I keep hearing time and again from people who make movies that you can't strain the suspension of disbelief by this wide a margin. In fact, they've told me that there's no way anyone will buy a romance between a geeky looking guy and the hot supermodel.
Are my film professors just a bunch of jerks who've had their minds twisted by a Hollywood mode of thinking, or is it the sad truth? Personally, I like to think that any good man fits well with any good woman regardless of what they look like, but, according to film school, most audiences just won't buy it.
On the subject of Woody Allen's Manhattan, I think it's a winner, and I found myself easily charmed by it regardless of the seeming mismatch between the romantic leads.
This review of Manhattan (1979) was written by Philip Z on 23 Nov 2013.
Manhattan has generally received very positive reviews.
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