Movie_Man 500

Pretty decent old time chiller with some axe murders and Joan both camping it up and giving it her gusto. At 1 point, she's as vulnerable as your granny might be; the next, she's belting out her dialogue like a diva. She always was a very watchable actress, even in B thrillers like this, which, nonetheless is well photographed and goofily entertaining, despite its over-lurid plot. Diane Baker went on to play the Senator that Hannibal Lector toyed with in Silence of the Lambs. Here: she's barely out of her teens. Or at least is 20 years older than her character is supposed to be from the beginning. Her and Crawford have believable chemistry as mother and daughter. You really can't guess how it's going to end. When it does, you'll be giggling in disbelief. Fun time during the spooky season of October and AMC recently aired it with commercials and didn't ruin one second of it. Hop along for the ride. Makes a nice companion piece to Lady in a Cage...

This is one of Allen's oddest pieces because it takes a while to get used to. I needed a third viewing over time to get past the musical numbers and discover how sweet this really is. The old grandfather is the funniest character and Alan Alda has probably the best dialogue. And the autumn and Venice scenery here is well photographed. Actually, all the seasons are filmed with poetic breath taking photography, to enhance the rather goofball story. The entire cast is likable, despite representing the bored wealthy elite so over the course of the picture, even their lies and mannerisms become endearing. Goldie Hawn and Julia Roberts stand out, and yes Woody makes himself appealing to both of them; the running gag of having beautiful women fall for him still going strong as he ages... Not "great" but great to look at. Even for people who usually cringe, like I do, when movie characters break into song and begin dancing.

The great Gena Rowlands has a fine narrative voice and in fact, it is her voice that you'll remember long after this is over. Voices in fact come into play a lot in this picture, from the sad stark voice of Mia Farrow whom Rowlands accidentally overhears in therapy, to the soft voice of John Houseman recalling his life, to the harsh voices of Sandy Dennis and Betty Buckley, in both real and flashback time. Allen shows some nice touches here as he uses visual and theatrical tricks to flesh out key parts of Marian's past. Nothing is wasted film wise as the editing is smooth and keeps everything finely constructed like a novel. Regrets and mistakes soon haunt everyone in the story and Marian comes to identify with a stranger (in Farrow) as she realizes most of the people in her small world never really knew who she was. Not as emotionally heavy as Allen's 2 dramas, this one allows you to admire the careful writing and the sometimes selfish motives of the characters, who don't always resonate with likability. Gene Hackman and Martha Plimpton offer pleasant support, perhaps the only 2 connections to solid love Marian has experienced... Worth repeated viewings, as all of Woody's movies are...