"Cassandra's Dream"

Woody Allen's Cassandra's Dream (Weinstein Co., 11.30) plays a lot tighter and stronger than I'd been led to expect by the pans (particularly the one from Variety's Derek Elley) coming out of the Venice Film Festival. It's not Match Point-level, particularly regarding the ending, but it's a straight, well-acted tragedy piece that struck me as unpretentious, believable and fat-free.

I was especially impressed with Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell's portrayals of working-class brothers who get into a horrible financial bind and are pretty much forced (or so it seems from their perspective) to commit murder, which of course only leads to darker, more enveloping states of mind. Farrell's performance as a weak (certainly vulnerable) fellow with a gambling addiction is particularly gripping.

I have to pack up and get in line for Paul Schrader's The Walker (showing at 9:30 pm), but Cassandra's Dream, for my money, is a solid, mid-level Woody.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on September 11, 2007 at 5:43 PM

comment #1

actionman Author Profile Page says ...

really liked Match Point and love the cast for Cassandra...looking forward to it

Wells--how was Redacted?

Posted by actionman Author Profile Page at September 11, 2007 6:13 PM

comment #2

Geoff Author Profile Page says ...

What about Philip Glass or Vilmos Zsigmond? Did they bring anything special to the table, or is it in keeping with the rest of Allen's oeuvre?

Posted by Geoff Author Profile Page at September 11, 2007 6:35 PM

comment #3

FieldingM Author Profile Page says ...

Good to know you liked it, Jeff. I think we'll be getting more films like this from Woody from now on.

But not all the reviews from Venice were negative - Jason Solomons from the Guardian Unlimited had this reaction:

"Many of the films have deep resonances and you find yourself walking round in a funny mood, wondering why ... until you remember you've just been through an emotional experience. The concentration of critics, PRs and celebrities (and security guards everywhere) means there is little time to enjoy a film before you're being frisked and whisked into a press conference.

I found myself terribly sad last Sunday after seeing Woody Allen's latest London movie, Cassandra's Dream. It's a strange film and I think rather brilliant. But it is very moody, and tragic as two brothers (Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell) head towards the bleakest ending I can recall in Woody's work.

This is a fascinating late work from a great artist. The direction may be a bit unflashy these days and the accents are ropey, but the score from Philip Glass is terrific, London is a stifling and foreboding backdrop and the tale is the stuff of Greek drama. You simply don't see this on film any more."

Posted by FieldingM Author Profile Page at September 11, 2007 6:35 PM

comment #4

JohnCope Author Profile Page says ...

I thought The Walker was absolutely excellent, but then I can't remember a Schrader film I didn't feel that way about. Now just to find that damn Bryan Ferry song...

Posted by JohnCope Author Profile Page at September 11, 2007 6:36 PM

comment #5

Roddy Reta Author Profile Page says ...

I'm guessing it's been a while since Wells has had a strong, mid-level Woody.

Posted by Roddy Reta Author Profile Page at September 11, 2007 6:37 PM

comment #6

MarkVH Author Profile Page says ...

"It's not Match Point-level, particularly regarding the ending, but it's a straight, well-acted tragedy piece that struck me as unpretentious, believable and fat-free."

Actually, sounds like you've just described the complete opposite of Match Point (a towering piece of shit, as far as I'm concerned), which was a poorly acted "tragedy" piece that was both completely pretentious and wholly unbelievable. Couldn't believe so many people were tripping over themselves to tout it as a "return to form." I'll forever have to temper my expectations for new Woody material - I'm at the point where it's almost impossible to believe that he's coming back.

Posted by MarkVH Author Profile Page at September 12, 2007 7:01 AM

comment #7

vansmith Author Profile Page says ...

looking forward to it, hope its more "crimes and misdemeanors" in its tragedy scope and not a complete downer. remember "husbands and wives", judy davis, that was a great picture...

Posted by vansmith Author Profile Page at September 12, 2007 7:21 AM

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