Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Average Rating: 8.4/10
Reviews Counted: 43
Fresh: 40 | Rotten: 3
Smart, tender, and funny in equal measure, Hannah and Her Sisters is one of Woody Allen's finest films.
Average Rating: 8.5/10
Critic Reviews: 8
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 0
Smart, tender, and funny in equal measure, Hannah and Her Sisters is one of Woody Allen's finest films.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 29,416
My Rating
Movie Info
A Woody Allen Manhattan mosaic, Hannah and Her Sisters concerns the lives, loves, and infidelities among a tightly-knit artistic clan. Hannah (Mia Farrow) regularly meets with her sisters Holly (Dianne Wiest) and Lee (Barbara Hershey) to discuss the week's events. It's what they don't always tell each other that forms the film's various subplots. Hannah is married to accountant and financial planner Elliot (Michael Caine), who carries a torch for Lee, who in turn lives with pompous Soho artist
Feb 7, 1986 Wide
Nov 6, 2001
Orion Pictures
Cast
-
Woody Allen
Mickey -
Mia Farrow
Hannah -
Barbara Hershey
Lee -
Dianne Wiest
Holly -
Carrie Fisher
April -
Michael Caine
Elliott -
Maureen O'Sullivan
Norma -
Lloyd Nolan
Hannah's father -
Max von Sydow
Frederick -
Daniel Stern
Dusty -
Paul Bates
Theater Manager -
Lewis Black
Paul -
Maria Chiara
Manon Lescaut -
Christian Clemenson
Larry -
John Doumanian
Thanksgiving Guest -
Joanna Gleason
Carol -
Richard Jenkins
Dr. Wilkes -
Julie Kavner
Gail -
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Mary -
Fred Melamed
Fr. Grey -
Helen Miller
Mickey's Mother -
Benno Schmidt
Dr. Smith -
Bobby Short
Himself -
William Sturgis
Elliot's Analyst -
J.T. Walsh
Ed Smythe -
Sam Waterston
David -
Ira Wheeler
Dr. Abel -
John Turturro
Writer -
The 39 Steps
Rock Band -
Carrotte
Theater Executive -
Ken Costigan
Father Flynn -
Artie DeCheser
Hannah's Twin -
Stephen Defluiter
Dr. Brooks -
Moses Farrow
Hannah's Child -
Susan Gordon-Clark
Hostess -
Daniel Haber
Krishna -
Verno O. Hobson
Mavis -
Tracy Kennedy
Brunch Guest -
Ivan Kronenfeld
Lee's Husband -
Bernie Leighton
Audition Pianist -
Rusty Magee
Ron -
Mary Pappas
Theater Executive -
Beverly Peer
Bass Player -
Leo Postrel
Mickey's Father -
Daisy Previn
Hannah's Child -
-
Rob Scott
Drummer
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All Critics (43) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (3) | DVD (10)
Its plot has the elegant geometry of a Philip Barry play.
Hannah is the New York of competitive living and, as such, it's as true a city portrait as they come.
Allen's way of setting himself up as a fount of moral wisdom is as insufferable as ever, but at least the preachiness is alleviated by some genuine wit.
One of Woody Allen's great films. Indeed, he makes nary a misstep from beginning to end in charting the amorous affiliations of three sisters and their men over a two-year period.
It is an articulate, literate film, full of humanity and perception about its sometimes less-than-loveable characters.
Top CriticA dramatic comedy not quite like any other, and one that sets new standards for Mr. Allen as well as for all American movie makers.
Allen's talent for witty screenwriting and note-perfect observational touch are in full force, and his stunning cast never fails to mesmerize.
Caine's performance, so fervent, so agonisingly dedicated, actually gains in force and touching sincerity with the years.
The tangled web of relationships is very effectively done, but just as affecting is Allen's portrayal of the city he loves.
The comedy-drama succeeds as a sharply pointed portrait of sibling rivalry.
Sharply written and extremely well-acted, Allen's serio-comic ensemble-driven saga about one large neurotic family, a huge artistic and commercial hit at the time, is arguably his last great picture.
One of Woody's best ever; a highly intelligent and witty comedy with a magical script and perfect portrayls of well rounded characters.
A film of great tenderness and humanity.
The film lives and breathes. It's a masterwork.
This movie feels real, the people seem real and the situations all ring true.
Ranks among Allen's masterpieces.
Achieves the kind of perfect balance that comes along maybe once in a filmmaker's career.
Audience Reviews for Hannah and Her Sisters
Super Reviewer
I thoroughly enjoyed HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, as did many who consider it the downright classic it is. The film is so entertaining, biting, amusing, and forgivingâ"all at the same time!â"that it seems itâ(TM)s only flawed in a respect of it seeming more than a tad bit dated. The cinematography often makes it seem like a cheesy television sitcom of the late â(TM)80s or early â(TM)90s. I wouldnâ(TM)t say this is Woody Allenâ(TM)s best work. My personal favorite work of his is 1979â²s MANHATTAN, followed closely by his overlooked sci-fi satire SLEEPER. To say that this is not up there as one of his best works would be a gross understatement.
Super Reviewer
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- Mickey: The heart is a very, very resilient little muscle.
-
- Frederick: If Jesus came back and saw what's going on in his name, he'd never stop throwing up.
-
- Mickey: What did you do? Swallow a drugstore?
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Foreign Titles
- Hannah und ihre Schwestern (DE)
- Hannah et ses soeurs (FR)
Hannah (Mia Farrow) is the oldest child of artistic parents. She's a successful, kind, and thoughtful actress, wife, and mother. She's basically the backbone of the family, who both hate and need her. Her two sisters, Holly (Dianne Wiest) and Lee (Barabra Hershey) are more aimless and resent her because of her stable and successful life, yet the rely on her for support so much that they couldn't possibly truly hate her. However, Hannah begins to realize that she's just as lost as the rest of the world when her life starts to unravel due to sibling rivalry and betrayal.
This movie has some really serious dramatic moments, but they are nicely balanced out by some terrifically funny stuff involving Woody's character- a hypochondriac in the TV industry who goes through existential and spiritual crises, There's humor with some of the other characters, but the bulk comes from Woody's Mickey. This film has it all: comedy, tragedy, pain, relief, laughs, and tears. It all works wonderfully and reeks of realism and experience. Simply put, this is some truly great writing.
The performances are also just terrific. The three ladies playing sisters have a great rapport together, Woody is great as usual doing his trademark shtick, Michael Caine (who, along with Wiest snagged an Oscar for his work here) is quite good as the husband to won sister who has an affair with one of the other two. Showing up in some nice supporting roles are Carrie Fisher and Max von Sydow, both of whom, despite being supporters, do a good job. I also enjoyed seeing Daniel Stern make a brief appearance, as well as Julie Kavner, who I think pretty much stole the few scenes she was in.
All in all, this is just an excellent study of human relations, and ranks pretty high as some of Allen's best work. In a way, this almost felt like light opera or super high art, only not as pretentious and more accessible. Even then this won't be for everyone, but if you give it a chance, there's bound to be something here for you to enjoy. Definitely give this one a go.