Manhattan

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully delightful
Review: One of Mr. Allen's finest movies. Breath-taking scenery.... well acted........ non-linear poetic art. Fabulous! END

Rating:
Summary: all-white stuttering misanthrope in black and white
Review: Does it bother anyone else that in what the director himself cals an "idealized New York" there are never any people of color? I'm talking about all of Woody Allen's films, not just this smug, prettily photographed, over-rated film. Wait, I've just been told that there is a black extra standing silently in the background of a party scene in Hannah and Her Sisters. I guess I'm wrong.

Why are people so crazy for this nasty, self-absorbed hack?

Rating:
Summary: Romanticized all out of proportion? Nah...
Review: "Annie Hall" may be generally regarded as the funniest of Woody Allen's adult comedies, but there's much to be said for the richly textured "Manhattan." Mariel Hemingway is perfectly cast as the doe-eyed (and teen-aged) Tracy, the initial love interest of Allen's Isaac Davis. Setting aside any parallels to Mr. Allen's current real-life situation, suffice it to say that the relationship between Isaac and Tracy is sweet and passionate, and ultimately the heart of the life lesson Isaac learns. Dianne Keaton (Mary Wilke) is the hyper, neurotic adult involved with Isaac's married friend Yale (Michael Murphy). Together, Hemingway and Keaton give excellent performances: perhaps even Mariel's best, while Keaton's is at times cloying but at heart quite sympathetic in a search for love in Manhattan. Which brings us to the real star of the film: the city itself. The opening montage alone--set to Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue"--paints a delightfully romantic, pulsing portrait of Allen's New York. Cinematographer Gordon Willis's sumptuous black-and-white was shamefully overlooked by the Academy. Visually, the film is stunning, with a palette of tones that reflect the story's inherent warmth as well as its moments of stark confrontation. Allen has worked in black-and-white several times, but this is the most successful effort. And, as much as he seems to decry it, Woody once again creates a sentimental--but never mawkish--ode to love, human frailties, and the Big Apple. Yes, that's Meryl Streep as the other woman. If a classic film is one that stands the test of time, then "Manhattan" is holding up exceptionally well. Even bettern than "Annie Hall."

Rating:
Summary: One of Allen's best
Review: While I would have to say that Allen's "Crimes and Misdemeanors" is better than this, "Manhattan" is still an amazing movie. Even if the script was terrible (it isn't), the characters flat (they aren't) and the great moral undertone not present (it is) the cinematography and soundtrack alone would make this movie stand out. "Manhattan" was Woody Allen's love letter to New York, filled with sweeping images of the city accompanied by terrific Gershwin music. It's a good thing he wouldn't let anybody release it unletterboxed.
But, of course, there is more to a movie than cinematography. "Manhattan" is funny (it's a Woody Allen movie, for goodness sakes), poignant, uplifting, and wonderfully intelligent. The scene near the end of the film that depicts the confrontation between Allen and his friend Yale (Michael Murphy) is one of the best scenes I've ever had the pleasure to see. The single shot of Allen, putting his face in the same frame with a vaguely Allenesque skeleton's face, is one of those things that you don't notice the first time around but on repeated viewings recognize as one of the best things about the movie.
The only people I have ever seen give bad reviews to this movie are those who point out that Allen's character is committing statuatory rape. This is true, but it's not necessarily glorified - if anything, it fits into the movie's strongest point about morality. In a world where most people who make accepted points about morality say that it's relative and accuse others of trying to be God, it's wonderful to see a film in which somebody answers to that very argument, "I gotta model myself after someone!"

Rating:
Summary: Better Than Annie Hall
Review: This is how a black and white should be filmed. And in the perfect location. I'm not a Woody Allen fan but this is just simply an excellent film. Funny, smart, insightful and emminently watchable.

Rating:
Summary: Magical, dreamy, spectacular, perfect
Review: No matter how many times I watch this piece of heavan, I still get teary at the line "you gotta have a little faith in people..." This is a movie with so much beauty and depth, humor and poignant romanticism. I can even accept Issac's (Woody Allen) older man/young girl romance ( and usually I am annoyed by the prevalance of this type of pairing in so many movies ) because to me ,the endearing Tracy, (Mariel Hemingway so SO wonderful here) represents the tender spirit of love, the open heart that simply feels what it feels. She is the point on which the movie pivots, with her sweet goodness and simple message of emotional purity in contrast to the over analysis the other older characters give love. There are so many levels on which to appreciate this movie. I could try to analyze it in words (as Woody and his complex, terrific cast of characters analyze their lives and loves...) but instead, I have to just tell you all with FEELING: Visit this film, the magical, dreamy, spectacular, perfect place...Manhattan.

Rating:
Summary: "New York Was His Town And It Always Would Be!"
Review: Woody Allen's "Mahattan" is one of the all-time great American films of the past century. It's one of Allen's best and most respected films. And I feel it has that "classic" Woody Allen persona. The wise-cracks, the views of New York, and his ideas on love.

It's hard for me to pin point the "main" story-line concerning the film. To some I suppose it's about a relationship dealing with Isaac Davis (Allen) and a 17 year old Tracy (Mariel Hemingway, in an Oscar nominated performance). Others still my say it's about Yale (Michael Murphy) cheating on his wife, Emily (Anne Byrne) with Mary (Diane Keaton). Or, perhaps you feel it's the story of Isaac and Mary falling in love. And if that doesn't do it for you, we also have the story concerning Isaac and his ex wife, Jill (Meryl Streep), who left him for another woman and has now written a "tell all" book about their marriage. So what is "Manhattan" about? I guess it's about all of these things. It's about people living in the "Big Apple" finding and losing love. Coming to term with themselves and realizing who they are. For example, Isaac comes to realize that he really let the one girl who he loved slip away. Yale and Mary come to realize they really are in love. And Tracy goes from being a young girl to a woman, and probably the most level-headed character in the movie.

"Mahattan" is one of those movies that whenever it's on tv I have to watch it, despite the fact that I own the movie. But, I just can't resist it. Whenever I go to New York, I have to watch this before I leave. It just puts me in the mood to go. And as soon as I come back I have to watch it again, because I miss it.

If you weren't able to tell before Woody Allen loves New York and what a perfect valentine for the greatest city in the world he made. The cinematography by Gordin Willis is beautiful. It has to rank among the best of his films. It's a shame he didn't win or even get nominated for an Oscar. He really shows the city in all it's beauty. The use of Gershwin music adds to the film's more romantic moments. Think of the scene where Allen and Keaton are walking through the street and "Someone To Watch Over Me" plays as they sit under the bridge. You just can't beat that moment! What about the end of the movie when "But Not For Me" is playing and we're unsure if the two lovers will get together in the end?

For those who have never watched a Woody Allen, this is a great place to start. I think of this movie as the "sister" of "Annie Hall". Two of the most charming romantic comedies of all-time. I really love this movie and I'm glad to see so many others do as well. I hope people who come to watch this in the future will appreciate it as much as I do.

Bottom-line: One of Woody Allen's best films. Made durning a time most people feel Allen was at his peek, the 70's. One of the best romantic comedies of all time!

Rating:
Summary: Woody Allen's Manhattan
Review: Manhattan is definitely Woody Allen's best film ever. Every character in it is well-rounded and profound in his/her own way. The storyline was perfection and the execution divine. The cinematography was breathtaking, and it really shows you what a marvelous city New York is. This is a must see for anyone who appreciates a film with a point.

Rating:
Summary: funny, quirky, intellectual film
Review: This film was my first taste of Woody Allen and I was pleasantly surprised. It tells the story of two middle-aged friends in Manhattan with a focus on their romantic escapades. These include relations with a teenager, affairs, divorce and even a mutual love interest.

Manhattan portrays the life of New York intellectuals in a wry but honest way. It is a smart comedy, an enjoyable look into a world 25 years back that is not so different from today.

Rating:
Summary: Neurotic coward
Review: This film is Woody Allen at his filmmaking peak. A great cast with Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway and the city of New York. Brilliantly shot in black and white, Manhattan captures the vibrancy and even better the contrasts of this place. Allen is the perfect neurotic coward and the dialogue is intelligently rich. Odd is the subject matter of a 40+ year old man seriously involved with a 17 year old girl, in a ripped from the future headlines kind of way.
Michael Duranko
www.bootism.com