Manhattan Murder Mystery (Widescreen/Full Screen): Amazon.ca: Alan Alda, Woody Allen, Anjelica Huston, Diane Keaton, Robert Greenhut, Inc.; TriStar Pictures Mahhattan Prods.: DVD

Product Description

Amazon.com Essential Video

Woody Allen was going through his off-screen scandal with Mia Farrow when Manhattan Murder Mystery was produced, so Diane Keaton was brought in to fill the role intended for Farrow. The reunion of Keaton and Allen only improves this already enjoyable Allen comedy, since they're so comfortable with each other's neuroses that they're delightfully convincing as a married couple who suspect their neighbor of murdering his wife. Actually, it's Keaton who obsesses about the possible foul play; Woody just wants them to mind their own business. But pretty soon they've recruited their friends (Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston) as amateur sleuths, and the movie turns into a Nancy Drew mystery for sophisticated Manhattanites. With a typical abundance of Woody Allen witticism and some memorable comic suspense, this engaging throwback to vintage Hollywood mysteries is guaranteed to please even the most noncommittal Woody Allen fans, and the Allen-Keaton chemistry is, as always, a genuine pleasure. --Jeff Shannon

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Customer Reviews

37 Reviews

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

4.1 out of 5 stars (37 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Lightweight Allen, but still worth seeing, April 16 2011

By

K. Gordon - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Manhattan Murder Mystery (Widescreen/Full Screen) (DVD)

Light and insubstantial - the thinnest movie Allen made since `Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy', but still breezy and fun entertainment, and still manages to have a deeper emotional resonance about working through mid-life crises and relationships. The camerawork is a mix. The first half is annoyingly handheld much of the time, for no particularly good reason, but the second half has some very nice lighting, and a fun `Lady From Shanghi' homage at the climax. A flawed film, that one can pick at if you're in a cranky mood, but also one with wit and panache that you can enjoy if you let go of your own inner film critic and just watch a master humorist simply tell a good yarn.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Great throwback to the days of whine and neurosis, July 8 2004

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Daniel S. Russell "syzygy121" (Blacksburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Manhattan Murder Mystery (Widescreen/Full Screen) (DVD)

I absolutely loved this film. I laughed. I jumped. I laughed some more.

This script had been laying around for quite some time, and when Allen decided to resurrect it, I'm SO glad he got Diane Keaton to join him for the filming. Their chemistry is still there, and so is Allen's wonderful neurotic schtick. The elevator scene is priceless. I also greatly enjoyed the tape-player skit with Allen's inimitable bumbling.

I think the film hiccups a bit when it abruptly switches to a film-noir ending. Mind you, I enjoyed the ending, especially the Welles homage, but I think this decidedly dark ending causes the whole vehicle to lose momentum.

All in all this great fun with plenty of zany suspense and the fabulous interplay of Allen and Keaton.

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4.0 out of 5 stars A PLEASANT DIVERSION, May 31 2004

By

Shashank Tripathi (Gadabout) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Manhattan Murder Mystery (Widescreen/Full Screen) (DVD)

Allen's a nebbish old man who wants to mind his (quickly deteriorating love-) life with an unagreeable wife.

Sensing this stale mate, the wife played by Diane Keaton, is out for some excitement. Which she gets, in a big way, when a neighbor dies. Just the evening after the two couples had a casual evening coffee.

Suspicions ensue. Old flames pop up. Relationships intertwine and flare. Clues unravel. Marital discord and sensitive chords are struck. All with vintage Allen humor, part neurotic, part drunk on its wit.

The cinematography is handsome, literally here, as candid steady cams are employed, giving the film its constantly roving hand-held look. I personally find this cloying after a while.

The murder itself is mildly suspenseful, but that's barely the point with a W-Allen movie. The twists are intelligent enough and managed to hold my attention for the duration of the movie.

All in all, despite the slightly cop-out denouement, it is generally quite an amusing experience. Recommended rental.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful mix of Murder, Mistery and Comedy
Diane Keaton and Woody Allen make quick friends with an older couple. After the woman dies of a heart attack, Diane Keaton starts investigating on her own thinking that it was not... Read more

Published on Feb 28 2004 by Babeur

4.0 out of 5 stars So long, Mia. Hello, Keaton.
After the abrasive brilliance of "Husbands and Wives", Woody wisely lightened up and reteamed with two of his old partners-in-crime, Diane Keaton and writing partner... Read more