Well-written script and outstanding acting

Rating: 9/10 (12 December 2011)

I must admit that I have been a fan of Woody Allen for many years and that his works in many way reflects the how we aspire to live. With beautiful settings in the early 1920's and late 1800's, the movie gives a cinematic taste what would a night-out be like (dancing, spirited dialogues, and perhaps an emphasis on creating of era-changing artworks). The message is clear: disliking the present leads to nostalgia; Allen did mention earlier in the movie " nostalgia is the denial of painful present". But how far- back can one go to find his/her "perfect" place/time to live life. Audience may be faced with choosing the story to be taking the short-cut (not braving to tackle present's challenges) or go along with a worry-free lifestyle that fame and fortune are not priorities.
Arts and not science, religion, nor even philosophy can provide some help as we "all fear death and question our place in the universe"; perhaps arts can salvage us from our own "despair and emptiness".