Review of The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) by Hatem A — 11 Apr 2014

3.5/4.0.

Woody Allen's ode to cinema is a beautiful yet heartbreaking piece of work set in depression-era New Jersey and centering on Cecelia (Mia Farrow), a naïve waitress and unhappy housewife whose only escape from her wretched existence with her abusive husband (Danny Aiello) is going to the cinema. Her latest obsession is a film called "The Purple Rose of Cairo" about archaeologist Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels in his first film role) who is doing work in Cairo and gets invited by a Manhattan socialitecouple while vacationing in Egypt. After repeated viewings at the cinema, Tom emerges from the screen and romances her. Things are complicated when similar happenings across the country force the actor playing Baxter, Gil Shepherd, to fly to NJ starting a very unusual love triangle.

The plot may seem silly for some but the movie is an excellent depiction of the idea of film as escapism with Farrow perfectly cast in the lead role that conveys such message (although she has been cast in similar vulnerable roles before). The ending is heart-rending but the movie just engaging with a perfect mix between color and B&W vignettes (on-screen happenings). Nominated for One Oscar: Original Screenplay.