Woody Allen's "Crimes and Misdemeanors" - Anyone else think it's his most underrated?
Okay, fellow Gen X'ers, moviebuff_marc here. Just re-watched "Crimes and Misdemeanors" (1989) and, man, this one still hits hard. We all know Woody Allen has a ton of movies in his filmography, some I love, some...not so much (I'm looking at you, "Anything Else"). But this one? It's got that dark, almost Bergman-esque vibe, you know? The way it bounces between Judah's (Martin Landau) moral crisis and Cliff's (Woody) own romantic struggles...it's just brilliant. Plus, the cast is phenomenal. It reminds me a bit of "Shadows and Fog", but with more meat on its bones. The ethical questions it raises about guilt, justice, and faith...they're still super relevant, even now. Remember that scene where Judah's wrestling with the decision and talking to his dead father? Chills, man. And yeah, okay, maybe the Halley Reed (Mia Farrow) stuff feels a little lighter, but it keeps the whole thing from becoming too depressing. It's like Allen's trying to show the big picture of how folks try to navigate this twisted world. So, here's my question: Does anyone else think this one is his most underrated? It never seems to get the same kind of love as "Annie Hall" or "Manhattan," but I think it's a way more complex, more daring film. Anybody else find themselves thinking about this one long after the credits roll? I'm curious to hear your thoughts. This flick is kind of like "The Stranger" by Camus, only you get to see Alan Alda play a sleazy TV dude while all this existential drama is cooking.
Comments (5)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!