Manhattan

Manhattan (1979)
Director: Woody Allen
Cast: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Michael Murphy, Mariel Hemmingway, Meryl Streep
Memorable Line: "My analyst warned me, but you were so beautiful I got another analyst. "

Manhattan is Woody Allen at the height of his game and is also his romantic homage to New York City.

The Plot of Manhattan
Isaac (Allen) is the variation-on-theme Woody Allen character -- a TV writer, with a spiteful ex-wife and a relationship with a 17 year old high school girl, Tracy. (Hemmingway). His friend, Yale (Murphy), is having an affair with an intellectual and mature Mary (Keaton), but knows he will never go anywhere because he won't leave his wife. Isaac knows his relationship with the 17 year old is going nowhere, too. All along, Isaac's ex-wife (Streep) is writing a tell-all book of their failed relationship. The fates align and things begin to falter in Yale and Mary's relationship making a potential opening for Isaac just as Mary and Isaac and Mary lives suddenly start converge.

In typical Woody Allen fashion, though the conflicts begins when Mary admits that she might not be over Yale. Isaac starts his descent into depression and wallowing, trying valiantly to find some center to hold to when he realizes that he should reconsider the 17 year old, Tracy. But is it too late?

The Performances, Writing, and Direction of Manhattan
Lushly photographed in black and white, the images are atmospheric and romantic. Allen gives us some of his best lines in an effortless fashion. Keaton balances out confidence with self-doubt, giving a great depiction of a woman caught in confusion. The other supporting cast members shine, too. Streep is wonderful as the somewhat vindictive ex-wife. Hemmingway, initially seems bland in the role, but really hits the mark as the film matures. As a part of Allen's stable, Murphy is great as the conflicted friend.

Allen allows the movie to be restive when it needs a pause and then knows when to pull the trigger on the next major plot movement. The script balances out the emotional and the funny almost to perfect precision.

Summary Judgment on Manhattan
Some might find a film featuring a grown man's relationship with a 17 year old as a bit creepy and Allen's real life seemed to parallel this movie somewhat. Despite this, Manhattan is up there as one of Allen's great movies. Maybe some of schtick got a little old and worn over the years, but it certainly works well in this movie.