Cassandra's Dream

Critics Consensus

Colin Farrell and Tom Wilkinson act up a storm in Cassandra's Dream, but Woody Allen's heavy-handed symbolism and foreshadowing drains the plot of all tension.

46%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 116

49%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 121,956
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Movie Info

Two brothers with serious financial woes are approached by a third party to commit a crime, but things go bad and the brothers become enemies.

Cast

Ewan McGregor
as Ian
Colin Farrell
as Terry
Hayley Atwell
as Angela Stark
Sally Hawkins
as Kate
Tom Wilkinson
as Howard
Philip Davis
as Martin Burns
Paul Davis
as Poker Player
John Benfield
as Father
Peter Hugo
as Boat Owner
Clare Higgins
as Mother
Peter-Hugo Daly
as Boat Owner
Ashley Madekwe
as Lucy
Ashley Medekwe
as Lucy
Andrew Howard
as Jerry
Keith Smee
as Terry's Track Mate
Stephen Noonan
as Mel
Steve Noonan
as Mel
Dan Carter
as Fred
Richard Lintern
as Director
Jennifer Higham
as Helen
Lee Whitlock
as Mike
Michael Harmon
as Estate Agent
Michael Harm
as Estate Agent
Emily Gilchrist
as Dora
George Richmond
as Bernard
Phyllis Roberts
as Burns' Mother
Tamzin Outhwaite
as Burns' Date
Cate Fowler
as Angela's Mother
David Horovitch
as Angela's Father
Matt Bardock
as Jaguar Owner
Jim Carter
as Garage Boss
Paul Gardner
as Nigel
Mark Umbers
as Eisley
Maggie McCarthy
as Servant
Hugh Rathbone
as Poker Player No.1
Allan Ramsey
as Poker Player No.2
Paul Marc Davis
as Poker Player No.3
Matt Barlock
as Jaguar Owner
Terry Budin Jones
as Poker Player
Franck Viano
as Poker Player No.5
Tom Fisher
as Nigel
Tommy Mack
as Poker Player No.6
Milo Bodrozic
as Poker Player No.7
Richard Graham
as Detective No.1
Ross Boatman
as Detective No.2
Michael Riesman
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Critic Reviews for Cassandra's Dream

All Critics (116) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (53) | Rotten (63)

  • Farrell and McGregor bring much to their roles...to make Cassandra's Dream an effective and chilling ride.

    Feb 6, 2009 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Linda Barnard

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic

  • It's enough to make you pine for the good old days -- back when life was only partly ironic and Woody was totally funny.

    Feb 6, 2009 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Rick Groen

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic

  • Woody Allen still insists on making movies at the rate of one a year, but he clearly needs to slow down. A lot.

    Oct 18, 2008 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

    Steve Rose

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • These characters not only don't talk like working-class Londoners, they don't talk like anyone.

    Oct 18, 2008 | Full Review…

    Dana Stevens

    Slate
    Top Critic

  • The problem is, you don't feel the human sweat and strain in Cassandra's Dream, despite game work from Farrell and McGregor. There are plenty of ideas and themes and no people of distinctive interest to enliven them.

    Oct 18, 2008 | Rating: 2/4

    Michael Phillips

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic

  • Allen is notorious for not giving his actors explicit instructions, and yet somehow this worked wonders for Farrell, who has never seemed so naked, so clear and so unencumbered as he does here.

    Oct 18, 2008 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Mick LaSalle

    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (116)

Audience Reviews for Cassandra's Dream

  • Aug 19, 2012
    I have never been a fan of Woody Allen films, but the last couple that I have seen have surprised me...I can actually say that I have liked them. Hmmmm. Go figure. I have noticed, however, that fans of Woody Allen films have not. Maybe this is a new era for him. Hope so...This movie has some great acting, especially from Colin Farrell, and a decent storyline. Reminds me of a Hitchcock type of film.
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
  • Aug 06, 2012
    It's nice to see Woody Allen going outside the box a little by not making just another romantic comedy, but the suspense is just dull, and the script is uneven. Bad ending too.
    Dillon L Super Reviewer
  • Jan 08, 2012
    It doesn't have the same level of tension, mood, or sense of realism that Allen's best works (ie Match Point) have, but it's still an effective morality tale, and yet another exploration of human nature by Woody Allen. The story itself isn't entirely unfamiliar, but is executed well and manages to stay absorbing throughout.
    Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 07, 2011
    I don't remember anything about this movie and I watched it about a month ago so I guess that's all that needs saying about it.
    Megan S Super Reviewer
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