Crimes and Misdemeanors ½

Year of Release: 1989 Review by Randy Parker Country: USA Verdict: See It

A new Woody Allen movie is usually a cause for life couple is as fresh and magical as ever. But Al- celebration. But in recent years, the director’s for- len is not Farrow’s only suitor in the film. His ays into straight drama and his absence from the brother-in-law, a rich and powerful TV-executive screen have been a cause for trepidation more than played by Alan Alda, also is courting her. And anything else. Happily, Allen fans everywhere can once you mix in Allen’s wife, sister, and niece, you break out the champagne: Crimes and Misdemean- have a flood of characters—and I’ve mentioned ors (his 19th film) is a gem! only half of them. The movie is one of the few I’ve seen where the Fortunately, Allen always has been a master at two main characters don’t even meet until the fi- juggling large ensemble casts—for example, Han- nal scene. Crimes is composed of two almost en- nah and Her Sisters . With Crimes and Misdemeanors , tirely unrelated story lines, and each has its own he once again demonstrates his knack for letting unique flavor. The weaker of the two involves each cast-member shine no matter how small the Martin Landau as a philandering husband who part. Alda, always a welcome presence, is playing decides to call it quits with his mistress of two against type in his role as the egomaniacal TV- years (Angelica Houston). The problem is she sitcom creator. He pulls out all the stops in a tour won’t accept his decision and threatens to expose de force performance. Something about his arro- their affair. Landau is faced with a moral crisis gance is irresistibly charming. when his Mafioso brother suggests they solve his As the strong-willed, sharp-tongued, and up- dilemma by liquidating the troublesome mistress. wardly mobile TV-producer, Farrow is, as usual, Landau doesn’t think he is capable of such evil, both alluring and beguiling. If you think Farrow but at the same time he feels like he’s backed into has been missing out in any way by appearing a corner. only in Allen’s films, consider the diversity of the Straight drama has never been Allen’s strength; characters she has been able to play. Farrow is just watch Interiors or Another Woman and you’ll convincing whether she is a shy, timid mental case know what I mean. But surprisingly, the dramatic (September ), a loudmouth mob-girl ( Broadway Dan- story line in Crimes is anything but impotent. Lan- ny Rose ), or a no-nonsense, career woman ( Crimes ). dau, coming off his Oscar-nominated performance And let’s not forget Allen himself, who never in Tucker , strikes gold again in Crimes . Allen gives fails to astonish me as actor, let alone as a director. the actor a profound role, and Landau does it jus- His humor is still razor sharp and his vulnerability tice. He brings out the character’s desperation, touchingly poignant. Even his smallest facial ex- making him sympathetic in an odd sort of way. pressions can send you into tears or into hysterical Houston is a revelation as the neurotic lover. I’ll laughter depending on the scene. Allen is a joy to never understand why her performance in Prizzi’s behold, whether he is schmoozing with his niece Honor received so much hoopla. However, there’s or bickering with his wife and brother-in-law. no denying that Houston is simply phenomenal in Amidst all the talk about the performances, I’ve Crimes as a woman grasping at straws, composed neglected to mention how thematically rich the at one minute and a basket case at the next. Hou- film is. Crimes and Misdemeanors is chock full of ston’s performance is worthy of an Oscar. existential quandaries about life, death, God, reli- Allen juxtaposes the somber and humorless sto- gion, morality, and blowing off work to go to the ry of marital infidelity with a comic tale of roman- movies. At times, Allen goes too far and hits you tic angst. And, thankfully, this half of Crimes and over the head with his philosophical conundrums. Misdemeanors is vintage Woody Allen. To borrow In any case, it’s probably better if I leave these a line from a beer commercial: it just doesn’t get deeper issues to the English majors and the Phi- any better than this! The icing on the cake is Al- losophers. len’s participation in front of the camera as well as I don’t want to give the impression that Crimes behind it. and Misdemeanors is cold and analytical. Yes, the Allen plays a struggling documentary filmmak- film is deadly serious, but not at the expense of er who falls in love with a TV-producer played by fun. Whenever the dramatic tension builds to a whom else but Mia Farrow. Somehow, after 10 crescendo, Allen cuts away for some comic relief. films, the on-screen chemistry between the real- The movie is overflowing with hilarious one-liners and comic performances. drama makes the film one of his best to date, and Crimes and Misdemeanors is truly a return to form certainly one of 1989’s finest. for Allen. The effective fusion of comedy and