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Amazon.co.uk Review
Manhattan, Woody Allen's follow-up to Oscar-winning Annie Hall, is a film of many distinctions: its glorious all-Gershwin score, its breathtakingly elegant black-and-white, widescreen cinematography by Gordon Willis (best-known for shooting the Godfather movies); its deeply shaded performances; its witty screenplay that marked a new level in Allen's artistic maturity; and its catalogue of Things that Make Life Worth Living. Allen's "Rhapsody in Gray" concerns, as his own character puts it, "people in Manhattan who are constantly creating these real, unnecessary, neurotic problems for themselves, because it keeps them from dealing with more insoluble, terrifying problems about the universe". It's a romantic comedy about infidelity and betrayal, the rules of love and friendship, young girls (a radiant and sweet Mariel Hemingway) and older men (Allen), innocence, and sophistication. (a favourite phrase is used to describe a piece of sculpture at the Guggenheim: "It has a marvellous kind of negative capability".) The film's themes can be summed up in two key lines: "I can't believe you met somebody you like better than me", and "It's very important to have some kind of personal integrity". OK, so they may not sound like such sparkling snatches of brilliant dialogue, but Manhattan puts those ideas across with such emotion that you feel an ache in your heart. --Jim Emerson
Special Features
2.35 Wide Screen
French\German\Italian\Spanish
English\German
English
Region 2
Mono English French German Italian Spanish
Mono
Original Theatrical Trailer
French\German\Italian\Spanish
English\German
English
Region 2
Mono English French German Italian Spanish
Mono
Original Theatrical Trailer
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Although this is not Woody Allens funniest film, it is his best and its one of the best films ever made. It is funny though, but not in the same way as his 'early funny' ones!
Woody Allen's brilliant writing is there right from the start of the film as we listen to Issac's (Woodys character) opening monologue rewritten over and over, to a selection of stunning images of New York.
The film is in black and white and all the better for it. Somehow the cinematographer Gordon Willis has captured everything that is beautiful about New York in this film. The use of music is also key to this film. Its nearly all George Gershwin and the combination has never been matched in the history of cinema.
The plot is tangled web of Issacs relationships with women, and as you'd expect with Woody Allen its never quite right. The leading women in the film, Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep (who is vicious) and Mariel Hemingway are all superb. In the end Issac has to make a decision over who he really wants to be with and this leads to two great scenes which unless you were born with your heart removed will leave you choked.
This is a truly great film in all respects and is an essential addition to any film fans collection. Sadly there are no extras with the DVD, but it is widescreen.
Woody Allen's brilliant writing is there right from the start of the film as we listen to Issac's (Woodys character) opening monologue rewritten over and over, to a selection of stunning images of New York.
The film is in black and white and all the better for it. Somehow the cinematographer Gordon Willis has captured everything that is beautiful about New York in this film. The use of music is also key to this film. Its nearly all George Gershwin and the combination has never been matched in the history of cinema.
The plot is tangled web of Issacs relationships with women, and as you'd expect with Woody Allen its never quite right. The leading women in the film, Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep (who is vicious) and Mariel Hemingway are all superb. In the end Issac has to make a decision over who he really wants to be with and this leads to two great scenes which unless you were born with your heart removed will leave you choked.
This is a truly great film in all respects and is an essential addition to any film fans collection. Sadly there are no extras with the DVD, but it is widescreen.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Manhattan is rightly praised as Woody Allen's masterpiece. It's beautifully shot, the script is clever and observant and the acting is great. The interesting characters and their lives aside, the real star of the piece is Manhattan itself which, through Allen's lens is a cathedral of soaring skyscrapers and human achievement.
Having said all of that, I find it very hard to fall in love with this movie. It has the sort of cold elegant beauty that is great to look at but somehow fails to draw me in. For my money, Allen gives us a much more endearing and enjoyable look at life in Manhattan in some of his other movies set there (and of course a lot of them are). They may be less praiseworthy than Manhatten in terms of their technical brilliance but he generally paints a much more human and warmer picture of the place he loves.
Perhaps that's the point: in Manhattan, Allen puts his home-town on a pedestal and asks us to be amazed at it, and yes it is beautiful. But in other Manhattan-based movies he opens the doors and welcomes us in.
To all the "Manhattan" fans, sorry, it's a technical masterpiece but for me it's not lovable and I prefer his other movies.
Having said all of that, I find it very hard to fall in love with this movie. It has the sort of cold elegant beauty that is great to look at but somehow fails to draw me in. For my money, Allen gives us a much more endearing and enjoyable look at life in Manhattan in some of his other movies set there (and of course a lot of them are). They may be less praiseworthy than Manhatten in terms of their technical brilliance but he generally paints a much more human and warmer picture of the place he loves.
Perhaps that's the point: in Manhattan, Allen puts his home-town on a pedestal and asks us to be amazed at it, and yes it is beautiful. But in other Manhattan-based movies he opens the doors and welcomes us in.
To all the "Manhattan" fans, sorry, it's a technical masterpiece but for me it's not lovable and I prefer his other movies.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Physically gorgeous, wise, if slightly more distanced (for me) than 'Annie Hall' finally on blu-ray
19 Jun 2010
Format:DVD
One of the most stunningly beautiful to look at films of the last 50 years, made with great wit, and full of strong
observations about loss, aging, and how we lie to ourselves.
But, personally, It doesn't quite rise to the level of `Annie Hall' for me in terms of timelessness or emotional impact.
It's a film I deeply admire, respect, see why others have it on their '10 best of all time' lists, etc. but feel guilty
that I can't unreservedly love. Somehow all the adult characters' self-obsessed narcissism keeps me at arms length.
I identify with moments, but -- unlike 'Annie Hall' - not the whole.
That said, it's strengths are so strong, and it has affected so many so deeply that its any film lover owes themselves
the chance to see. Among other things, Gordon Willis' photography will leave you with
images you'll never forget.
And as nice as the DVD transfer was, the beautiful new US, reportedly region free blu-ray goes it one better.
This film has a depth and immediacy on blu-ray that rivaled my memories of seeing it for the first time on the
big screen. Of course, as always with Woody, there are still no real extras, but these images are so great, that you
owe yourself the blu-ray version.
observations about loss, aging, and how we lie to ourselves.
But, personally, It doesn't quite rise to the level of `Annie Hall' for me in terms of timelessness or emotional impact.
It's a film I deeply admire, respect, see why others have it on their '10 best of all time' lists, etc. but feel guilty
that I can't unreservedly love. Somehow all the adult characters' self-obsessed narcissism keeps me at arms length.
I identify with moments, but -- unlike 'Annie Hall' - not the whole.
That said, it's strengths are so strong, and it has affected so many so deeply that its any film lover owes themselves
the chance to see. Among other things, Gordon Willis' photography will leave you with
images you'll never forget.
And as nice as the DVD transfer was, the beautiful new US, reportedly region free blu-ray goes it one better.
This film has a depth and immediacy on blu-ray that rivaled my memories of seeing it for the first time on the
big screen. Of course, as always with Woody, there are still no real extras, but these images are so great, that you
owe yourself the blu-ray version.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
audio in mono!
Yeah, this is a great movie, with gorgeous music, but the DVD version --in all its avalaible languages-- is in mono!
Published 6 months ago by Oscar Malca
I never tire of this film
I watched this film probably once every two/three years since i don't know when . I love how it's filmed in monochrome & the style of how it's filmed , some frames would make great... Read more
Published 7 months ago by D. S. Sample
Rubbish!!!!
I bought this film on the strength that all the Woody Allen films I have seen have all been amusing and witty. Unfortunately, this was one of the worst films I have ever seen. Read more
Published on 2 May 2010 by C Discerning
oh if only I could do it too
wonderfully written ...sumptuously shot in black and white ..camera shots and angles any directer would love to have been the first to use ... Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2010 by tu nombre es
Woody pokes fun at the NY middle classes
Manhattan is first of all an unashamed tribute to the city of New York. The first five minutes both in words and images leave in no doubt about this. Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2010 by haunted
Woody Allens masterpiece
Manhattan is one of Woody Allens best movies. Style, Camera and Story make this movie to a great experience, although this DVD is a bit thin and doesnt have many extras its... Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2009 by Al P.
One of Allen's best
Although the content of this film has much in common with most of Allen's work, something lifts it above his less convincing projects and makes it soar. Read more
Published on 20 July 2009 by Mr. J. Carr
Light and lovable
I love art that conjures up a definite sense of place, and this film distills a romantic slither of New York. Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2008 by William Cohen
Magnificent film, good DVD
There's a rumour that Woody Allen almost threw this film in the river instead of releasing it. If he had, what a terrible loss that would have been. Read more
Published on 2 May 2008 by John Croudy
A film that rewards with every viewing
'Manhattan' is absolutely essential for any Allen collector's horde: a wry, intelligent and painfully realistic examination of personal confusion and, of course, human... Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2007 by Mr. D. Woods
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