Manhattan (1979)

• Year: 1979
• Released: 25 Apr 1979
• Country: United States
• Adwords: Nominated for 2 Oscars. 15 wins & 24 nominations total
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079522/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/manhattan
• Metacritics: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/manhattan
• Available in: 720p, 1080p,
• Language: English
• MPA Rating: R
• Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
• Runtime: 96 min
• Writer: Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman
• Director: Woody Allen
• Cast: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway
• Keywords: based on novel or book, new york city, love, adultery, writer,

	7.9/10
	83/100
	94% – Critics
	92% – Audience

Manhattan Storyline

Forty-two year old Isaac Davis has a romanticized view of his hometown, New York City, most specifically Manhattan, as channeled through the lead character in the first book he is writing, despite his own Manhattan-based life being more of a tragicomedy. He has just quit his job as a hack writer for a bad television comedy, he, beyond the ten second rush of endorphins during the actual act of quitting, now regretting the decision, especially as he isn’t sure he can live off his book writing career. He is paying two alimonies, his second ex-wife, Jill Davis, a lesbian, who is writing her own tell-all book of their acrimonious split. The one somewhat positive aspect of his life is that he is dating a young woman named Tracy, although she is only seventeen and still in high school. Largely because of their differences a big part of which is due to their ages, he does not see a long term future with her. His life has the potential to be even more tragicomical when he meets journalist Mary Wilkie, the mistress of his best friend, college professor Yale Pollack. Although Isaac’s first impression of Mary is that she is a pretentious intellectual, he falls for her. They do become friends with the potential of becoming more than just friends as she knows that being the “other woman” in Yale’s life is not a long term role that she wants. An Isaac/Mary coupling may complicate matters even more with Yale being mutually in their lives. Regardless, Isaac may be able to rationalize events after they happen, no matter what those events are.

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Manhattan Movie Reviews

Not just one of Woody Allen’s best films, but a tie with Annie Hall as his masterpiece

Woody Allen is not for everybody and he is not the most consistent of directors, being hit-and-miss since Husbands and Wives(personal opinion that is). His best work to me spanned from late 70s to early/mid 90s, and Manhattan is a fine example of Allen at his best. Visually it is one of Allen’s most technically accomplished and beautiful films, the cinematography is so fluid and Manhattan has to have one of the best depictions of New York on film. George Gershwin’s music fits perfectly, whether upbeat, seductive or melancholic. How it meshed with the imagery and cinematography further added to the poignancy. The screenplay is one of the best of any Woody Allen film(personal vote for best is Annie Hall, one of the greatest scripts ever), one of his wittiest, most acerbic- the opening voice-over stands out- yet also perhaps his most emotionally investing. The trademark self-mockery and sharp observations are all here, and you could go as far to say that Manhattan is also one of Allen’s most truthful, a lot of what is picked upon is true and come across so bluntly that it’s painful which makes it all affecting. The story is paced deliberately but the telling of it is very compelling, with its fair share of hilarious and touching moments. If there was a list of Woody Allen films that merged comedy and drama the most effectively, Manhattan would definitely be on the list and towards the top. The characters are very human and handled gracefully rather than being boorish. They are not likable by all means, but considering Allen’s tendency to make fun of things and people and to funny and honest effect it’s clear that Allen wasn’t intending them to be likable. The performances are top-notch, Allen admittedly works better in the comedic moments but he’s still great, it is fun to see Meryl Streep in an early role and Michael Murphy and Anne Byrne are fine in support roles. Mariel Hemingway’s vulnerability helps you relate to her without manipulating you to do so, but the best performance comes from Diane Keaton, at home in both comedy and drama she is wonderful throughout. All in all, a Woody Allen masterpiece, and don’t let the 17/42-age relationship distract you too much as it is handled much more tastefully than it could easily have done. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Absolutely beautiful

Isaac (Woody Allen) is a neurotic NY divorcée dating 17 year old Tracy (Mariel Hemingway). His second ex-wife Jill (Meryl Streep) is writing a book about their lives, and living with Connie. His best friend Yale (Michael Murphy) tells him that he’s having an affair with Mary (Diane Keaton) behind his wife Emily’s back. Then Isaac finds himself falling for the bright and challenging Mary.

It’s been described as Woody Allen’s love letter to New York. The black and white beauty certainly testifies to that idea. New York has never looked better. The George Gershwin orchestral music just sets it all off.

I do have to add that Woody’s old conflict with Mia has resurfaced recently with Dylan retelling her story. It could color this movie if you allow it. I try to review the movie on its own merits.

Isaac is a high functioning mess. That’s the comedy of the movie. Although it’s not really that funny unless you have intellectual friends like that. This is the most New York of New York movies. I guess it’s funny for people who recognize these characters. For other less sophisticated viewers, they’re just a bunch of talkative intellectuals. I’m something in between. I laughed a little, but not constantly.

New York at Night

First of all, what a beautiful film. It integrates the stunning black and white photography, the Gershwin tunes, the soft, starry nights. A sentimental view of Manhattan. Woody Allen is always on and he continues a running commentary, even as others speak. Thank goodness. He’s funnier than they are. We have the soft romance between him and his young co-star. It is doomed from the beginning because he is in a different search. He lack of experience, however, makes her wiser than he is. She is a great catch, but you imagine her outgrowing him as her sense of life expands. We have the other subplots: the cruelty of the the ex-wife (Meryl Streep) who bullies him. The indiscretions of his friend and the appearance of the ever present Diane Keaton. This is such a complex movie, full of surprises and subtlety. It is also a love story of a city. Being a Midwesterner who has only visited Manhattan a few times, there’s no way I can have a true appreciation of all that this movie is. All I know is that there is a sadness over it all, a sadness that we as human beings inherit and carry with us. As thinking beings we carry our thoughts and sometimes those thoughts get in the way of our happiness. This movie brings out that delicate wire act of life.