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Let's not mess about - this is Woody Allen's best film. 'Annie Hall' comes a close second, but if you're looking for an example of truly incredible cinema, then look no further. Reasons? Well, there's the storyline. Allen's films have been said to be clones of one another, but I disagree. You could say exactly the same thing about Hitchcock. What is repeated throughout Allen's career is the feel, the mood of his films. His style is immaculate and very reusable. Romance, wit and New York are used by Allen like Hitchcock used suspense and blonds. In this film, Allen is a screenwriter who is trying to write a novel. In the meantime, he has love affairs with two very different women and with his city, New York. He also battles with the embarrassment of his last marriage, to a character played by Meryl Streep, who left Allen to begin a relationship with a woman. That particular storyline has been used recently in the sitcom, 'Friends' with the Allen-esque Ross Geller. Then there's Manhattan. Never before has the city been captured on film as beautifully as this. This film could only have been made in black and white. And what about the Gershwin soundtrack? Some would say that it's Gershwin's music that makes this film. I certainly think it helps greatly. I don't think 'Someone to Watch Over Me' has ever sounded as good as in this film. But what I really love about this film, and the reason it's way ahead of any other Woody Allen film, is the timelessness. I seriously believe that this film could have been made yesterday, if only we made films as good as this today. This love story doesn't take place in the late seventies, it takes place every day in New York City. Or that's what it feels like. 'Sleepless in Seattle', 'You've Got Mail', 'Serendipity' all owe their existence to this film, only Manhattan seems less like a Romantic Comedy and more like an epic. So what about the DVD edition. The film itself looks great. But why are we limited to one extra feature? We're only treated to the theatrical trailer on Allen's DVDs. What we'd all really like is an outtake reel, a 'Making Of' and interviews. But, hey ho, if this is all we get, we better just make the most of it!Read full review
The music by Gershwin and the sites of New York are the real stars of this "sort of a sequel" to "Annie Hall." We have 42 year old Isaac Davis (Woody Allen) having a sexual relationship with 17 year old Tracy (Mariel Hemingway) when the movie starts. He comments that even her father is not as old as he is. But anyway, Isaac's intellectual group of friends include Yale (Michael Murphy), who is married to Emily (Ann Byrne). Yale confides to Isaac that he is strongly attracted to another woman, Mary (Diane Keaton). One day, Isaac runs into the two together. Mary and Isaac do not like each other but speak the same intellectual talk and have the same neuroses. Eventually, Mary realizes that she cannot be a mistress. She has already had two marriages and is too attractive to be tied down in such a role. So, she ends up going with and living with Isaac. So, Isaac is now forced to break it off with Tracy. In her Academy Award nominated role, Mariel Hemingway as Tracy shows her innocent teenage sensitivity when Isaac breaks up with her. Oh, I almost forgot another one of Isaac's problems. He has an x-wife Jill played by Meryl Streep. Jill is the mother of their elementary school age son, but she left Isaac to live as a lesbian with her lover. Additionally, she has written a best-selling book about her marriage to Isaac and divulges all of his faults and their intimate moments. What's a guy to do? How all of this turns out I will leave to you. While on this ride, we are treated to so many sites of New York and to an almost constant serenade by Gershwin as performed by the New York Philharmonic and the Buffalo Philharmonic. You will find yourself singing the lyrics while the plot is ticking away. This movie was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman as well as Hemingway's performance as Best Supporting Actress. My only complaint about this DVD is that there were no English subtitles to translate the mumbling of some of the actors. Also, the sound had to be turned to the maximum to hear. I would also have preferred a color movie. The plot, though, and especially the music are worth the 93 minutes of this movie.Read full review
While noting my opinion bias in favor of Woody Allen humor (i.e, his neurotic New York city ways) I also liked the touching scene toward the movie's end (with Margo Hemingway). I would not hesitate to view the film again....am passing it to my brother, who also appreciates Allen's humor, from decades ago.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Even on regular DVD this really holds up so well, and has a quirky story that includes Woody and his usual cast of characters. The cover shot of this movie on the park bench, looking out over the Williamsburg bridge, is enough to connect people with this film. Done in Black and White, not as a mere promotional stunt, but it really lends itself to this cinematography masterpiece. This is a really great version of this film.
I liked it when it originally came out. Probably not much middle ground. It's aged reasonably well.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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