Shadows and Fog: Woody Does Kafka (kinda)

Okay, so I finally got around to watching Woody Allen's "Shadows and Fog" and...wow. It's definitely...something. I mean, the obvious reference point is German Expressionism, all those stark shadows and deliberately artificial sets. It REALLY commits to that aesthetic. It kinda felt less like a Woody Allen movie and more like a film student's incredibly well-funded art project. It follows this nervous bookkeeper, Max Kleinman (Allen), who gets dragged into this weird vigilante search for a serial killer. Honestly, the plot isn't the point. It's more about the atmosphere and the sense of paranoia. Madonna is in it as a circus performer, which felt so random but also…perfectly in its place? Her scenes were some of the most memorable, like when she's discussing her feelings for her clown manager. The whole thing felt very dreamlike and absurd. Honestly, it’s not a movie I'd recommend to everyone. It's definitely not "Annie Hall". But If you're into that kind of visually striking, intellectually stimulating cinema, then give it a watch. I wouldn’t say it’s particularly enjoyable, but it's definitely interesting. It didn’t blow my mind but I can appreciate what he was going for. It’s definitely a conversation starter and, for me, one of Woody Allen’s most unique films. Should you seek it out? Maybe? Depends what you are looking for. But I recommend you come back here to discuss! I'd like to know your opinions. Oh, and one more thing – anyone else get major Kafka vibes? Or was that just me?