Manhattan (PG)

The next and final instalment of our Woody Allen Season is the 1979 film Manhattan.  Hot on the heels of Annie Hall, the Oscar-winning Manhattan continued Allen's romantic obsessions in a slightly darker, more pessimistic vein.

42-year-old Manhattan native Isaac Davis has a job he hates, a seventeen-year-old girlfriend he doesn't love, and a lesbian ex-wife who's writing a tell-all book about their marriage. But when he meets his best friend's sexy, intellectual mistress, Mary, Isaac falls head over heels. Leaving Tracy, bedding Mary and quitting his job are just the beginning of Isaac's quest for romance and fulfilment in a city where sex is as intimate as a handshake - and the gate to true love is a revolving door. Sumptuously photographed in black and white (Allen's first film in that format) and accompanied by a magnificent Gershwin score.

Audiences are well aware of the films which Woody Allen has directed, especially if you have seen the other three films of his we have shown earlier this month. Diane Keaton stars as Mary the sexy and intellectual mistress.  Diane Keaton is a recognised actress who has starred in other Woody Allen films (Sleeper and Annie Hall).  

In 1980 Manhattan was nominated and won various awards.  To start with it was nominated for two Oscars: Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen and Best Actress in a Supporting Role.  Manhattan won a couple of BAFTA Film Awards for: Best Film and Best Screenplay. Not only did this film win a number of awards in was also screened in the official selection of the 1979 Cannes Film Festival.

Here are some of the critics views of Manhattan:

*One of Woody Allen's early classics, Manhattan combines modern, bittersweet humour and timeless romanticism with unerring grace* Rotten Tomatoes

*Allen has, in black and white, captured the inner beauty that lurks behind the outer layer of dirt and grime in Manhattan.* Variety

Have a look at the trailer below:

Manhattan (15) runs on Monday 18th June at 2pm and Thursday 21st 7.45pm.