Crimes and Misdemeanors: A Discussion: Part 1
Uploaded by camdiscussion on Sep 23, 2007
Part 1 of 3: ‘What Does Judah Believe?’
A discussion of Woody Allen’s 1989 movie, perhaps his finest.
By Anton Scamvougeras.
http://camdiscussion.blogspot.com/
antons@mail.ubc.ca
_____________
One of my favorite films is this gem by Woody Allen “Crimes and Misdemeanors”:
Film Review
By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Directed by Woody Allen
MGM/UA 12/89 DVD/VHS Feature Film
PG-13 – adult situations
This film is a metaphysical comedy about how we conduct our lives in a time when many think the world is devoid of moral purpose. Woody Allen, who wrote, directed, and acts in the film, is joined by a repertory company of actors including Martin Landau, Sam Waterston, Anjelica Huston, Alan Alda, Mia Farrow, Claire Bloom, Jerry Orbach, Jenny Nichols, Joanna Gleason, and Caroline Aaron.
The story revolves around two men who, in the end, share their feelings briefly with each other at a wedding. Judah Rosenthal (Martin Landau) is a successful ophthalmologist and philanthropist whose mistress threatens to tell his wife about their two-year affair and his financial improprieties. When he conveys his dilemma to a rabbi, he is advised that honesty is always the best policy. But Judah’s brother, who has connections with the underworld, convinces him to have his mistress killed.
Meanwhile, Cliff Stern (Woody Allen) is making a documentary about his brother-in-law, a pompous television celebrity. Unhappily married, he falls in love with the associate producer. Convinced they are soul mates, Cliff shows her a serious film he’s working on about a philosopher concerned with values and the modern world.
In his 19th film, Woody Allen provides a thought-provoking portrait of the amorality of our times when individuals are no longer troubled by guilt over their crimes and misdemeanors. Power, greed, and self-interest animate men and women who only worry about getting caught.
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