You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (2010)
In this painfully derivative Woody Allen drama, we have more couples breaking up than can fit on the screen. But if there is a twist to it all, it starts with the title (there is no tall dark stranger in the movie) and with the ending, which I won't spoil. But I will say, that almost everyone is deeply unhappy at the end, and all because hankering for a glamour and youth in their partners that is, in the movie, clearly unattainable.
When I say derivative, I mean that Allen is covering himself. The types of characters (and actors) and the types of problems (relatioinships) have been worked in these ways many times before in earlier and better Allen movies. If there had been a bit of Allen humor along the way, it might have been more fun and therefore more moving, too. But it remains superficial and disappointing.
I will say the acting is really good (and with several genuine stars in the cast, as Allen still seems to be able to attract). The photography is by legendary Vilmos Zsigmond, who does a standup excellent job, but a long way from "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" and other early, gorgeous movies. This turns out to have been his last film, and if you look at his filmography you'll be impressed. (Allen has also attracted some of the truly great cinematographers in his long career.) A final clue to Allen's intentions comes from the bland (downright boring) voice-over all through. It means to suggest a lighthearted look at these people (caught in the sound and the fury). And the music in the background shifts the mood in almost silly ways, announcing that the movie is almost an oversized trifle. Or truffle.
I don't suppose Allen has a quota of movies he has to meet, being beyond that idea and independent, but this movie fills like it's filling a small need, and quickly.
In this painfully derivative Woody Allen drama, we have more couples breaking up than can fit on the screen. But if there is a twist to it all, it starts with the title (there is no tall dark stranger in the movie) and with the ending, which I won't spoil. But I will say, that almost everyone is deeply unhappy at the end, and all because hankering for a glamour and youth in their partners that is, in the movie, clearly unattainable.
When I say derivative, I mean that Allen is covering himself. The types of characters (and actors) and the types of problems (relatioinships) have been worked in these ways many times before in earlier and better Allen movies. If there had been a bit of Allen humor along the way, it might have been more fun and therefore more moving, too. But it remains superficial and disappointing.
I will say the acting is really good (and with several genuine stars in the cast, as Allen still seems to be able to attract). The photography is by legendary Vilmos Zsigmond, who does a standup excellent job, but a long way from "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" and other early, gorgeous movies. This turns out to have been his last film, and if you look at his filmography you'll be impressed. (Allen has also attracted some of the truly great cinematographers in his long career.) A final clue to Allen's intentions comes from the bland (downright boring) voice-over all through. It means to suggest a lighthearted look at these people (caught in the sound and the fury). And the music in the background shifts the mood in almost silly ways, announcing that the movie is almost an oversized trifle. Or truffle.
I don't suppose Allen has a quota of movies he has to meet, being beyond that idea and independent, but this movie fills like it's filling a small need, and quickly.