Finally a decent Allen outing, but...

Rating: 4/10 (5 June 2006)

I had heard all the talk about a return to form for Woody Allen and finally decided to purchase the DVD to get a look, since I simply DREAD going to the movies in New Jersey anymore thanks to YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! :) Anyway, my initial reaction to the mood this movie put me in was the feel of The Talented Mr Rippley, which I hated, actually, though I can't say I was hating this film, per se. I stuck with it and was appreciative of the writing and performances. As always, we need more Scarlett J.
Unfortunately, when the story took it's turn, I began to get less interested and more annoyed and impatient, as the actions taken by the main character were not based on any dialogue or rational thought. Things seem to happen because that's where the script decided to take the characters. It also plods on for too long once you realize what the main character is going to do. There are no real surprises here, except maybe in the exact method of the deed. The problem is that things just happen, without any feel for what the main character was REALLY going through, UNLIKE Martin Landau's character in Crimes and Misdemeanors.
My overall take on this movie is that it is Crimes and Misdemeanors Lite. It's Crimes and Misdemeanors without any introspection. While it may be Allen's best achievement since that amazing movie, it certainly is not a return to form.