Manhattan is a stunningly shot film. Beautiful scenes of the city permeate throughout and the music of George Gershwin punctuate the visuals nicely. You can really sense Allen's love for NYC and I admit, though not a New Yorker, I fell for the city too.
As for the plot, ok it's a film that couldn't be shot today as it deals with a 42 year old, twice divorced man, a father no less, who is dating a 17 year old high schooler. Getting past that, this is a story of a group of neurotic, self absorbed people who project so much authority and opinion about the lives and endeavors of others, but yet are unable to project much of anything other than dysfunction in their own lives.
There is a particularly painful scene when Issac, played by Allen, is breaking things off with Tracy, played by Mariel Hemingway. You really feel for the girl, she is young, inexperienced, has fallen in love with the older man and is now experiencing rejection and heartbreak for the first time. There is also a lot of humor in the film. What I especially enjoyed is the humor didn't sink to vulgarity or cheap talk about bodily functions or anatomy jokes. The subject was handled with maturity and wasn't insulting. Towards the end of the film Issac attempts to persuade Tracy not to go to London to study, but Tracy is a precocious young lady telling Issac that he must have faith in people insinuating she'll return to him. Just an overall good film about the complications of adult life told in a humorous yet mature manner. Enjoy.
As for the plot, ok it's a film that couldn't be shot today as it deals with a 42 year old, twice divorced man, a father no less, who is dating a 17 year old high schooler. Getting past that, this is a story of a group of neurotic, self absorbed people who project so much authority and opinion about the lives and endeavors of others, but yet are unable to project much of anything other than dysfunction in their own lives.
There is a particularly painful scene when Issac, played by Allen, is breaking things off with Tracy, played by Mariel Hemingway. You really feel for the girl, she is young, inexperienced, has fallen in love with the older man and is now experiencing rejection and heartbreak for the first time. There is also a lot of humor in the film. What I especially enjoyed is the humor didn't sink to vulgarity or cheap talk about bodily functions or anatomy jokes. The subject was handled with maturity and wasn't insulting. Towards the end of the film Issac attempts to persuade Tracy not to go to London to study, but Tracy is a precocious young lady telling Issac that he must have faith in people insinuating she'll return to him. Just an overall good film about the complications of adult life told in a humorous yet mature manner. Enjoy.