In association with

Manhattan [1979]
from MGM Entertainment
starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway, Michael Murphy, Meryl Streep
directed by Woody Allen

Features:

• Anamorphic
• Black & White
• Dubbed
• PAL

Editorial Review:

Manhattan, Woody Allen's follow-up to Oscar-winning Annie Hall, is a film of many distinctions: its glorious all-Gershwin score, its breathtakingly elegant black-and-white, widescreen cinematography by Gordon Willis (best-known for shooting the Godfather movies); its deeply shaded performances; its witty screenplay that marked a new level in Allen's artistic maturity; and its catalogue of Things that Make Life Worth Living. Allen's "Rhapsody in Gray" concerns, as his own character puts it, "people in Manhattan who are constantly creating these real, unnecessary, neurotic problems for themselves, because it keeps them from dealing with more insoluble, terrifying problems about the universe". It's a romantic comedy about infidelity and betrayal, the rules of love and friendship, young girls (a radiant and sweet Mariel Hemingway) and older men (Allen), innocence, and sophistication. (a favourite phrase is used to describe a piece of sculpture at the Guggenheim: "It has a marvellous kind of negative capability".) The film's themes can be summed up in two key lines: "I can't believe you met somebody you like better than me", and "It's very important to have some kind of personal integrity". OK, so they may not sound like such sparkling snatches of brilliant dialogue, but Manhattan puts those ideas across with such emotion that you feel an ache in your heart. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

• Cinema at it's finest
  I was a little worried as i'm a blackandwhitefilmophobe but, this fim is marvelous.
  Compared to films like Serpico, Taxi Driver, The Warriors that show New York on the 1970's as a cess pit this shows 70's New York through Woody Allen's eyes and what a place it is.
  5 Stars all the way.
  

• Magnificent film, good DVD
  There's a rumour that Woody Allen almost threw this film in the river instead of releasing it. If he had, what a terrible loss that would have been. I have never been to New York and quite frankly I don't want to because it would destroy the illusion of the magical, clean city that 'Manhattan' brings across. I've seen this film so many times that I know much of the dialogue off by heart, yet I still don't feel qualified to write a serious review of it. The DVD itself is as good as I expected it to be. I was... more info

• A film that rewards with every viewing
  'Manhattan' is absolutely essential for any Allen collector's horde: a wry, intelligent and painfully realistic examination of personal confusion and, of course, human relationships that have become Allen's trademark. The film also showcases some of the best cinematography ever seen on film and a sweeping Gershwin score.
  Woody plays Isaac Davis, a neurotic wannabe novelist who hates his television job and lesbian ex-wife, finding solace in a sexually charged but ultimately immature liaison with a... more info

• It's a good night in but not a truly great movie
  Just cos Woody Allen made this and its in black and white people think this must be a classic-like the best film ever made-well it isnt! Its a good night in with your partner if the 2 of u still get along but it does not hold up to closer scrutiny-really. He is still cracking rather abstruse jokes all the time thinking we havent heard them all before-my opinion-hes a 2nd rate Groucho Marx who struggles to forget himself. But the films a good night in.

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