The overall 'philosophical' thrust -- that good guys finish last and that crime does pay -- is designed to make the audience feel very wise, but none of the characters or ideas is allowed to develop beyond its cardboard profile.
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
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Reviews Counted:5
Fresh:4
Rotten:1
Average Rating:7.3/10
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS is Woody Allen's most mature, most profound film. Martin Landau plays Judah Rosenthal, a successful ophthalmologist having an affair with Dolores (Anjelica Huston), who is... CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS is Woody Allen's most mature, most profound film. Martin Landau plays Judah Rosenthal, a successful ophthalmologist having an affair with Dolores (Anjelica Huston), who is threatening to reveal their relationship unless Judah commits to her and leaves his wife. He admits his sin to Ben (Sam Waterston), a friend, a patient, and a learned rabbi who is losing his eyesight but not his faith. Judah turns to his brother Jack, who is connected to the mob and can make Dolores disappear. Allen plays Cliff Stern, a documentary filmmaker who accepts an assignment to film his pompous, successful brother-in-law, Lester (Alan Alda), a comedy star; both Cliff and Lester fall for Hallie Reed (Mia Farrow), a producer involved in the documentary. Allen the director brings all the characters together in a fabulous mix of comedy and drama, deceit and delight. CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS is a marvel of complexity, with fascinating, well-written characters; deep, complicated relationships; and thought-provoking examinations of religion, infidelity, morality, murder, comedy, and tragedy. [More]
Starring: Martin Landau, Anjelica Huston, Woody Allen, Joanna Gleason
Starring: Martin Landau, Anjelica Huston, Woody Allen, Joanna Gleason, Alan Alda, Caroline Aaron, Claire Bloom, Mia Farrow, Jenny Nichols, Jerry Orbach, Sam Waterston
Director: Woody Allen
Director: Woody Allen
Screenwriter: Woody Allen
Producer: Robert Greenhut
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Reviews for Crimes and Misdemeanors
The structural and stylistic conceit is that when Landau is onscreen, the film is dead serious, even solemn, while Allen's own appearance onscreen signals hilarious satire and priceless one-liners.
The movie's secret strength -- its structure, really -- comes from the truth of the dozens and dozens of particular details through which it arrives at its own very hesitant, not especially comforting, very moving generality.
A relative of Hannah and Her Sisters in its duplex structure and of The Purple Rose of Cairo in its bitter theme, Crimes is two movies in one, a blend of Allen's satiric and pretentious dramatic styles.
The movie generates the best kind of suspense, because it's not about what will happen to people -- it's about what decisions they will reach.
Latest News for Crimes and Misdemeanors
August 14, 2008:
Woody Allen Looks Back With EW ![]()
As he prepares to launch his latest feature, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Woody Allen has taken a few minutes to revisit a dozen of his career highlights with Entertainment Weekly. More...
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