Directed by:
Woody AllenScreenplay:
Woody AllenCinematography:
Gordon WillisComposer:
Dick HymanCast:
Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello, Edward Herrmann, John Wood, Milo O'Shea, Dianne Wiest, George Martin, Van Johnson, John Rothman, Raymond Serra (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
In 1930s New Jersey, the quiet Cecilia escapes from her sad and tedious life, including an unfaithful husband, through the magic of movies. In a magical twist, a character in a film sees her through the screen, falls in love, and enters the real world to be with her. The ambitious actor who portrays the character comes to the small town to convince his creation to return through the screen. (Sandpiper Pictures)
(more)Reviews (3)
One of Woody Allen's most amazing films – and, paradoxically, I would never have guessed Woody was the director. The beautiful and almost mysterious romance and the precise performances of the main duo captivated me until the last minute. It is a masterful art to make the audience laugh and keep their smile for several minutes, only to then make them cry sincerely.
()
One of the fundamental criticisms of film critics that the majority of viewers not only did not share but also did not understand, was directed against the separation of the film world from reality. Films should reflect the reality of everyday life and address real problems, rather than offering an escape into a world of illusions. On the other hand, viewers always respond that they are fed up with ordinary reality and come to the movie theater to dream and have fun. Woody made an entertaining plaything about the film industry as a traditional factory of dreams, where we go to hide from the misery of daily exhausting reality. One day, the film character rebels and decides to experience real emotions and real life, addressing the viewer in the movie theater. What follows is a romance like those in the most debased dime novels, spiced up by Allen's ironic insight, but it has a somewhat painful ending for fans of the dime store novel genre. The Purple Rose of Cairo is a comedy, but unlike Woody's early works, it is not based on one-liners and wacky gags. It has a charming cast, and Woody has already proven here that his strongest suit is working with actors and creating well-developed dialogue. Overall impression: 85%.
()
I wish I'd been introduced to Woody's world with The Purple Rose of Cairo. But that didn’t happen, and things often get rough between us. However, this magical variation on love and emotions between film reality and the audience's reality is very pleasant. Mia is too sweet and the celluloid games are surprisingly effective.
()