
Shadows and Fog
1992, Comedy, 1h 26m
27 Reviews 5,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Shadows and Fog recreates the chiaroscuro aesthetic of German Expressionism, but Woody Allen's rambling screenplay retreads the director's neurotic obsessions with derivative results. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Kleinman
Irmy
Clown
Marie
Doctor
Prostitute
Critic Reviews for Shadows and Fog
All Critics (27) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (13)
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Shadows and Fog is Woody Allen's first mystery movie. The mystery: what caused this total breakdown of a unique artist?
January 18, 2013 | Full Review… -
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September 7, 2011 | Rating: C | Full Review… -
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January 1, 2000 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
The main reason it fails is not because it is not good, but because it simply is not as good as it should be. What is a viewer to do?
June 26, 2020 | Rating: 6/10 | Full Review… -
It's a consistent joy, but it's also unfocused, showcasing Allen's tendency to get lost in unnecessary subplots.
June 5, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
What does Allen intend in this superficially humorous, even cute film about a fearful little quipster running about dark, frightening, cobbled streets?
May 31, 2018 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Shadows and Fog
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Mar 31, 2021An interesting failure. If 70%-80% of the dialogue had been cut out the visual elements would have taken over the narrative which, given the kind of homage this is, would have been more engaging.Alec B Super Reviewer
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Feb 25, 2012Shadows and Fog, Woody's love letter to German Expressionism, boasts some cleverly detailed mise-en-scenes and 20s inspired shot scales, but it's little more than a replication.Jonathan H Super Reviewer
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Dec 15, 2011I can see why "Shadows and Fog" was met with such mixed reaction. There's not much of a plot and the final twenty or so minutes are completely preposterous. But that's not saying that I didn't find it interesting. The black-and-white cinematography is marvelous, the numerous celebrity cameos are a treat, and Woody Allen's comedic performance is splendidly funny. Plus, there are several moments of truth, with topics ranging from religion to existentialism to family values. "Shadows and Fog" is not necessarily a "good" film, but it's very enjoyable.Stephen E Super Reviewer
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Aug 06, 2011This is not one of Woody Allen's best film. I was distracted by the story and of Allen who plays a nervous clerk sent out by his vigilante friends to keep a look out for a serial killer. Then the story involves a couple who works at a circus, they break apart because the husband is caught of adultury, so the wife (Mia Farrow) runs away and meets a prostitute (Lily Tomlin) who offers her to stay for the night but is offered $700 by a clientele (John Cusack). Then the Farrow character gets busted by the cops and is ordered to pay a fine and finally meets Allen's character to find the lurking serial killer. The slapstick humour was so plain and wasteful I wasn't really laughing because I thought to myself and said "Haven't I've seen this suff before?" Towards the end of the film I didn't care if Allen and his cast found the killer or not because the movie already dived and bombed. There is an excellent all star cast and a tremendous black and white look reminiscent to the films of German Expressionism and film noir, but imo it is better to rent or watch those films on DVD/TCM. If one is going to pay homage, might as well make it compelling and moving like "The Artist". "Shadows And Fog" is not a success.Brian R Super Reviewer
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