Directed by Woody AllenStarring Ewan McGregor, Colin Farrell, Sally Hawkins, Tom Wilkinson, Haley Atwell
2008
Conventional wisdom dictates that any film with an absurdly predictable plot, stilted dialog, and actors who seem to have been left to fend for themselves by a director more concerned with working ominous foreshadowing into every conversation than advising his characters is one of two things: a mediocre film or a Woody Allen film.
All of the usual criticisms apply to Allen's latest, Cassandra's Dream, but if you know Allen films, the usual criticisms can be disregarded. To call Cassandra's Dream a repetitive retread of recent films such as Lumet's Before the Devil Knows You're Dead or Allen's own Match Point or Crimes and Misdemeanors is entirely beside the point. Although there is nothing unpredictable or surprising in Allen's script, it is an excellent continuation of the wide-ranging moral discussion Allen has been having with his audience for the better part of four decades. This time around Allen asks what happens when ordinary men raised to believe in the power of family to protect and guide are asked to do something immoral by the people that taught them the meaning of morality.
Chances are if you've seen more than a handful of Allen's films you already know whether this is worth your time. Those who - like the aliens in Stardust Memories - prefer his "early funny films" will likely be turned off by the relentless pessimism and grim denouement of Cassandra's Dream but anyone who enjoys seeing late period Allen play God to his characters' Job will be just tickled.
Visit npr.org for preview clips and an audio interview with Allen
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