Great-looking Woody Allen drama misfires without enough heart...

Rating: 5/10 (21 January 2006)

"Real life" jazz guitarist in the 1930s (Sean Penn) has alcohol, ego and marriage-related problems that keep him from tasting success. Woody Allen (who appears as one of the narrators) wrote and directed this handsome, certainly well-acted but meandering drama which always verges on being great but eventually comes up short. What begins as a lovely piece of yesteryear is undone by a maddeningly unmoving story and aloof characters; it builds no emotion. Penn is fine if unexceptional in his complex role, but Samantha Morton is very lovely as a mute girl he gets involved with. Gorgeous music numbers, terrific production values, but eventually a misfire. ** from ****