Given that Allen has written this for the screen, it's odd how stagey it feels, visually and emotionally, as though he's seeking a connection with, say, the great proletarian tragedies of Arthur Miller.
Both his admirers and detractors will find rich pickings in the new film. This is an oedipal drama about shame, guilt and sexual betrayal. Allen throws in a few gags – but not very many.
Beautifully shot but joyless.
The film’s glowing, golden cinematography suggests a far warmer story than it in fact delivers, but Winslet’s stunning turn is worth a look if you can stand the consciously stagey feel.
Unfortunately the content feels strained and the dialogue tends towards the florid leaving us with mere echoes of better Woody Allen films such as The Purple Rose Of Cairo or Crimes And Misdemeanours.
High production values and an older woman in the lead put a gloss on an otherwise dull tale.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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