DVD Review: You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger

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Can someone explain the hype around Woody Allen films?
I mostly stick to my own tastes in movies, but at the same time, I like to have a film recommended to me by a good friend or a blogger I read. This is where Woody Allen comes in. I've never liked a single Woody Allen film, there are a few that I would label "ok" at best. Yet, everyone I know is in love with the guy. So I've been trying to give his films a go, and I seem to come up disappointed every time. Maybe next year's film starring two of my favorites: Ellen Page and Jesse Eisenberg will do the trick?

This film is a study of couples, betrayal, (is there always cheating in an Allen film?) and life in general. Helena (Gemma Jones) is recently separated from her husband of 40 years, Alfie. (Anthony Hopkins) Alife now has a new squeeze, Charmaine, who he hopes to have a son with. (Lucy Punch) This doesn't really set well for his only child, Sally (Naomi Watts) who finds herself attracted to her boss, Greg (Antonio Bandarass) and growing frustrated with her husband, Roy, (Josh Brolin) who's taken up watching his beautiful neighbor, Dia (Freida Pinto) through their window. Did you get all that?

My main reason for giving his Allen film a try is the beautiful and talented Naomi Watts, but not even she could save this mess. The film drags it's feet as it jumps from plot to plot and is otherwise, I dare say, just plain boring. What a waste of a cast of capable actors. They were held back by the story. I did enjoy the narrator, however. I thought that added a nice touch.

Recommended: No

Grade: C

Memorable Quote: "I don't want to keep doing this if we have to use a contraceptive." - Sally (Naomi Watts)

Comments

  1. themoviesnobNovember 15, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    You have to look carefully through Woody Allen's career to find good ones. I would be curious as to which ones you have seen. Annie Hall, Manhattsan, and most recently Midnight in Paris are excellent films, hands down.

    And for something different, Match Point is a brilliantly crafted thriller.

    True, Allen does put out a lot of sorry films, but he puts out such a massive amount is why...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brittani BurnhamNovember 19, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Annie Hall is probably the only one I enjoyed. I've seen Match Point, Whatever Works, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Melinda and Melinda, Scoop, All The Things You Wanted To Know About Sex (I think that's what it's called?) Anything Else, and Mighty Aphordite. I've seen parts of Hannah and her Sisters. Haven't got Manhatton or Midnight In Paris.

    ReplyDelete

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