A fine bit of magic from Mr.Allen

Rating: Null/10 (11 October 2011)

I had my own Woody Allen 'moment' when going to see this movie early in the afternoon. I arrived 30 seconds late – I always try to avoid the ads – and in the darkness mistook an elderly gentleman's groin for the arm of my seat – twice! He did'nt complain the first time so I assumed I must be in the right place. I groped my way to the seat in front of him whispering apologies along the way and sat while the cinematic sun rose. I left delighted at having seen - at long last – a marvellous new film from Mr.Allen, delighted also at not having been jumped or beaten up.
I think it would be pedantic to fault historical inaccuracies regarding the authors or painters encountered by Owen Wilson's character, begrudging to deny the pleasure of the turns given by Cotillard, Brody, and others, and simply mean to ignore the love and intelligence involved in the making of this film – that magic we recognise from Annie Hall, through The Purple Rose of Cairo, to Deconstucting Harry. Because this film, after all the dross since those great Allen films that we admire (I assume) , has that quality that would (as somebody said) 'send you'.... And that's all this film tries to be about, sending, or 'transporting' you – us. It's marvellous.
I'll probably go and see it again, though I'll arrive a little earlier next time!