Rifkin's Festival

It isn't a great film, but I enjoyed spending time watching Wallace Shawn reciting Woody Allen's genius words about the meaning of life, the pretentiousness of art and the adrenaline of new love. Allen rarely disappoints... and this late-life crisis hits most of the classic notes.

One of Woody's better artistic achievements after a few disturbingly disappointing movies he made over the last years.

Wallace Shawn might not be the perfect actor in the lead, and as a fan of Allen's work it's easy to recognize all his repetitive motifs, but somehow the beauty of the locations and the camera work, the charming aspects of the story worked out for me here. I can totally see how much Allen loves the European Cinema of the last century, it's clear he mourns that this kind of cinematic art is slowly getting lost in our times of ignorance and stupidity, and his parodistic sequences of citing Fellini, Bergman, Lelouch, Godard, Bunuel and Truffaut are funny and a bit melancholic to watch at. But of course to fully enjoy it you need to know the artists and films he's referring to.

Woody Allen revisits many themes viewers have seen before in his earlier films, and spoofs of scenes from famous European filmmakers. The 2 female leads are very good and the scenery is gorgeous.

As we get older and love doesn't seem to be enough and life is actually - quite simply inbalanced and almost artificial - watching Woody Allen movies brings life to the relatable and makes you laugh at the ridiculous of human behavior. Especially the fantasies of grandeur, - the intimacy between professor and the student or plumber and plumbers assistant, what have you, Rifkins Festival still plays at the comedy of the desperation and the fear to become stagnant.

Well shot. Good speed. Bold choice in actor, but the chemistry between authenticity and subtly feels balanced throughout.

Don't watch it expecting an Oscar. Watch it to enjoy cinema again. The movie also tells you that.

Entertaining with the beautiful city of San Sebastián as a backdrop.