Steve Rhodes
March 26th 05, 04:06 AM
MELINDA AND MELINDA
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2005 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ***
In MELINDA AND MELINDA, two writers are arguing over dinner about whether
comedy or tragedy is more important. Or, as they put it, is the world more
tragic or comic? (This is an unsolvable battle that the voters in the
Motion Picture Academy have long since, and incorrectly, resolved in favor
of tragedy, but I digress.) As written and directed by Woody Allen, MELINDA
AND MELINDA is another one of his delightful trifles to be savored for its
delicious dialog and its compelling characters, all of which are as smoothly
enjoyable as the film's simple jazz scoring.
Where else but in Woody Allen film can a character say things as ridiculous
as, "I'm running out of obsequious banter," or "Melinda had a reputation for
being post-modern in bed," and somehow seem not only plausible but downright
poetic?
In order to refine their arguments, these writers, played by Wallace Shawn
and Larry Pine, start concocting parallel tales aloud with the same lead
character, that of a woman named Melinda (Radha Mitchell). The movie cuts
between the two stories. In one, Melinda barges in on a couple played by
Will Ferrell and Amada Peet, and in the other she shows up unexpected at the
apartment of a couple played by Jonny Lee Miller and Chloë Sevigny.
Although there are plots and subplots aplenty, the surprising thing is that
it is usually hard to tell whether the movie is in its comedic part or its
dramatic section. Only the appearance of Ferrell in a scene serves to
remind us that this is the tragic comedy part rather than the comedic
tragedy section. MELINDA AND MELINDA is like a single date with a beautiful
girl from out-of-town in which not much happens, but you had a good time
anyway.
MELINDA AND MELINDA runs 1:40. It is rated PG-13 for "adult situations
involving sexuality, and some substance material" and would be acceptable
for kids around 12 and up.
The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the
Silicon Valley, it is showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and
the Camera Cinemas.
Web: http://www.InternetReviews.com
Email:
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A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2005 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ***
In MELINDA AND MELINDA, two writers are arguing over dinner about whether
comedy or tragedy is more important. Or, as they put it, is the world more
tragic or comic? (This is an unsolvable battle that the voters in the
Motion Picture Academy have long since, and incorrectly, resolved in favor
of tragedy, but I digress.) As written and directed by Woody Allen, MELINDA
AND MELINDA is another one of his delightful trifles to be savored for its
delicious dialog and its compelling characters, all of which are as smoothly
enjoyable as the film's simple jazz scoring.
Where else but in Woody Allen film can a character say things as ridiculous
as, "I'm running out of obsequious banter," or "Melinda had a reputation for
being post-modern in bed," and somehow seem not only plausible but downright
poetic?
In order to refine their arguments, these writers, played by Wallace Shawn
and Larry Pine, start concocting parallel tales aloud with the same lead
character, that of a woman named Melinda (Radha Mitchell). The movie cuts
between the two stories. In one, Melinda barges in on a couple played by
Will Ferrell and Amada Peet, and in the other she shows up unexpected at the
apartment of a couple played by Jonny Lee Miller and Chloë Sevigny.
Although there are plots and subplots aplenty, the surprising thing is that
it is usually hard to tell whether the movie is in its comedic part or its
dramatic section. Only the appearance of Ferrell in a scene serves to
remind us that this is the tragic comedy part rather than the comedic
tragedy section. MELINDA AND MELINDA is like a single date with a beautiful
girl from out-of-town in which not much happens, but you had a good time
anyway.
MELINDA AND MELINDA runs 1:40. It is rated PG-13 for "adult situations
involving sexuality, and some substance material" and would be acceptable
for kids around 12 and up.
The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the
Silicon Valley, it is showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and
the Camera Cinemas.
Web: http://www.InternetReviews.com
Email:
************************************************** *********************
Want free reviews and weekly movie and video recommendations via Email?
Just send me a letter with the word "subscribe" in the subject line.