I wanted to review/recommend Woody Allen's 1979 classic "Manhattan" again because (a) it's one of my all-time favorite movies and (b) I get to go see his "Blue Jasmine" this weekend! There's so much to say about this movie from the opening sequence to George Gershwin to the glorious black & white cinematography by the Prince of Darkness (Gordon Willis) to the bittersweet ending. The most famous shot is the bridge shot, done at five in the morning. Apparently, the crew had to bring their own bench to that location and some of the lights on the bridge went out as the started to shoot the scene. Woody Allen stars as Isaac Davis, a television comedy writer who wants to write a book about his love for NYC. He romanticizes it all out of proportion. He is dating Tracy (Mariel Hemmingway), and his friend Yale Pollack (the awesome Michael Murphy), who incidentally is married, is having an affair with Marie Wilkie (my favorite female actress in her best role, Diane Keaton). One of Isaac's ex-wives, Jill Davis (Meryl Streep), is writing a book about their marriage and has recently come to realize that she's a lesbian. Everything that you've come to love about a Woody Allen romp is here. It's a deeply moving yet hilarious musing on love, guilt, and life. All of the characters are well-written, complex individuals who all embody a bit of the real Woody Allen in different or similar ways (they all of some anxiety issues, for instance). If you only see one Woody Allen movie your entire life, this is the one. Check it out on Netflix Instant where it awaits patiently for you.
Another classic available on Netflix streaming is Orson Welles's 1963 underrated masterpiece "The Trial," starring Anthony Perkins ("Psycho"), the master himself, and the beautiful Jeanne Moreau ("Jules et Jim"). I wanted to review/recommend this again because it's so awesome and my "Old Review" did not do it much justice. Welles reportedly said that this was the best film he'd ever made. I don't agree (that goes to "Touch of Evil"), but damn was I surprised about how good it was. I really shouldn't have been, but given all the press on "Citizen Kane" and "Touch of Evil," for awhile there it felt like that's all ole Orson did. But over the years I've seen "The Magnificent Ambersons," "The Stranger," "The Lady from Shanghai," "F for Fake," and this. I must say the man knew how to make a movie and act. This film is set in Europe and the set design and cinematography is where it's at. Welles ability to find unique angles and focus started all the way back with "Citizen Kane," but he never ran out of fantastic tricks up his sleeve. To say much of anything about what it's about, other than it's based on Franz Kafka's brilliant novel, would ruin the strange pleasure of just turning it on and jumping into the middle of this man's surreal life. The main themes are being out of control, alienation, and isolation. Welles depicts this so expertly by isolating Perkins's character in strange sets and shadowy streets. The film is really a dark comedy. It has one of the most memorable Orson Welles sequences ever, I think. He plays a bedridden, crazed, good-for-nothing lawyer. It's quite hilarious in only the way big ole Orson could be. Perkins is perfect for the main role as well. He's consistently confused and portrays vulnerability so well. He's a victim of seemingly random events, but he doesn't let his character become unrealistically random at anytime (except for maybe the end, which is fantastic). Be sure to check out this fascinating piece from the genius mind that was Orson Welles.
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