good but very different Woody Allen.

Rating: 8/10 (28 January 2006)

I don't remember Crimes and Misdemeanors, although I'm sure I have seen it, so can't make any comparisons. And I did like "Melinda, Melinda" very much. This movie, like so many of Woody Allen's was great because of the musical accompaniments and in particular the use of opera, which sets the theme ultimately for the story. (I'm glad to read that it was the "Pearl Fishers" to begin with as I thought, although that was not listed first in credits.) Also a thematic indication was Chris' reading of Dostowevski. Interestingly we do not know the title of the book. Unlike some reviewers I got the impression that Chris Wilton was quite famous, indeed as a tennis player but I agree that in his initial meeting with Tom there was an undercurrent of sexual ambiguity that of course was resolved in the meeting of Chloe and then Nola. The charms of Scarlett Johanason really elude me (but I am an old dame), her walk is most ungraceful (she stalks) and her lips look pumped full of collagen, plus I don't think much of her acting ability. In fact in the early part of the movie to me the acting seemed very stilted and conversations almost like just going through the motions, not really engaged. Aside from Scarlett, none of the actors were known to me. They did do a good job, really. As always I loved the sets. There is that very neat twist at the end but it also was allowed to have the impact it did because some very basic police procedures were completely ignored or by-passed. Also a little difficult to believe was the continuing affair when Nola was at first really rather indifferent bordering on repelled by Chris. Guess it could be explained by loneliness, abandonment and whatever financial assistance he could have given her (this is not at all explored). Overall it was a pleasure to see an adult movie with a plot, beautiful photography and settings, beautiful music and (to me) an introduction to some new, interesting and very attractive actors. Oh and an observation sort of outside the main review. . . when I saw the art in Chloe's gallery, I almost burst out laughing. Was that Woody's attempt at ridiculing the current art world?