Manhattan Murder Mystery

Details Details Details

Manhattan Murder Mystery [Region 2 UK]

 Selected Credits:

Directed by Woody Allen

Written by Woody Allen & Marshall Brickman

Cinematography by Carlo Di Palma

Edited by Susan E. Morse

Cast

Woody Allen - Larry Lipton

Diane Keaton - Carol Lipton

Jerry Adler - Paul House

Lynn Cohen - Lillian House

Alan Alda - Ted

Angelica Houston - Martha Fox

Released:  1994

Running Time: 104 mins

DVD: Only £4 here!

We have chosen Manhattan Murder Mystery as the opening review
for AllAboutWoody.com as we think it is Woody Allen's most accessible film, and I have found that it is a nice 'gentle' introduction to the man for newcomers to his work.

Synopsis (from Amazon)

The reunion of Keaton and Allen only improves this already enjoyable Allen comedy, since they're so comfortable with each other's neuroses that they're delightfully convincing as a married couple who suspect their neighbor of murdering his wife. Actually, it's Keaton who obsesses about the possible foul play; Woody just wants them to mind their own business. But pretty soon they've recruited their friends (Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston) as amateur sleuths, and the movie turns into a Nancy Drew mystery for sophisticated Manhattanites.

Thoughts

Let's start by stating that Manhattan Murder Mystery is a hugely enjoyable film, both for Woody devotees and those yet to see the light. Diane Keaton's character Carol has an energy and spontaneity that contrasts with Woody's reserved and nervous Larry. The two play off each other perfectly with the usual quick repartee and sparring that we expect from Woody Allen films. 

The film is more accessible than many of his previous though, partly because it has an involving plot that romps along at quite a pace. The differing personalities and attitudes of the main characters towards the 'murder' will likely correlate with the viewers, so when one character is perhaps becoming annoying or overly sceptical (usually Woody's), the other will voice their criticism of this, and the audience will breathe a sigh of relief that their thoughts are being echoed.

Another reason that Manhattan Murder Mystery is quite accessible to all, is that, well, beneath the surface there isn't actually much there. It's very light, and there is little that asks the viewer any questions, or will cause them to think about life in a way that Crimes and Misdemeanours or Manhattan do. It is not a criticism as such, as there has to be room for simply enjoyable films, but just, well ok, it is a slight criticism then...

Quotable lines come thick and fast, as well as multiple references to old movies such as The Lady from Shanghai, Rear Window, and Casablanca. 

Best Line 

Can't decide between two, both from Woody's character:

"I can't listen to that much Wagner, ya know? I start to get the urge to conquer Poland."

"There's nothing wrong with you that a little Prozac and a polo mallet can't cure."