Review of Manhattan (1979) by Darryl J — 04 Oct 2008

Truth be told,I was not expecting this film to look as great as it does. The b&w cinematography is stunning in just about every frame. I was extremely impressed. The story is a pitch perfect romantic comedy.

I can't think of one thing that I didn't like about this film. Woody Allen is so much better at delivering his scripts than anybody else. His rapid fire wittiness is so wonderful. It comes off so natural probably because it doesn't seem like he's playing a character.

It seems like he's playing an exaggerated version of himself. Diane Keaton was also great. It kind of seemed like she just stepped out of Annie Hall into this a little bit but I loved her nonetheless.

The role that I think hit me hardest was Mariel Hemingways. She's not like the other characters. Sure she's smart but she doesn't flaunt it like the rest of them. She's such a reserved character and struck me as the most real.

There a bunch of lines of hers that wouldn't have the same effect is it was in other hands. The story is perfection. It mostly deals with loss of relationships instead of the opposite. Even when Allen and Keaton get together you know they won't be together for long.

It's merely convenient for both of them. They both just got out of relationships are both lonely. That's what makes the end all the more heartbreaking. To think,how great he could have had it with the ever-lovable Tracy.

:/.