Film No. 58 (2015) August 12th. 6.30 PM LUNA Paradiso, Northbridge.
"That should put some viagra into the philosophy department". (An observation made by Jill's (Emma Stone) mother on news that Abe (Joaquin Pheonix) has been appointed to the local university)
Irrational Man
Woody Allen is back to present his annual offering. No matter what one thinks of Allen, based usually on his private life, the legendary manner in which he churns out quirky cinema of the Allen type is amazing. Because he is so prolific, the quality of some of his films suffer but with every new offering there are always unique ideas and characters. Irrational Man is no exception but it is not his best work.
Match Point is Allen's best effort at an odd ball mystery offering. He has tried to repeat this in Irrational Man using the idea of an emotionally constipated philosophy tutor, Abe (Joaquin Pheonix), expounding his virtues about real truth but then discovering his unblocking comes from an ultimate undisciplined act of taking the law into his own hands. Has his world of academia given him a false sense of what is real?
See I told you Woody brings something new(idea)to the screen each time he writes and directs. This time Woody trials the idea that a doyen (Abe) of idealistic thoughts and morals can only unblock his emotional handicap by being tempted into contemplating an act most despicable. Abe however completely justifies, on moral grounds, why the act is righteous. Good idea isn't it?
The problem is Woody over scripts this one. Most of Allen's films run between 88 and 94 minutes. He's the master of telling his story in traditional movie length time. This one runs 15 minutes too long. I'm not sure Joaquin Pheonix is the best choice for the lead role. I think we need to feel more aligned with his decision to test his morals but we don't; at least I didn't. Also the chemistry between he and Emma Stone is not quite right. Never mind, I quite enjoyed Allen's new idea, they are always refreshing. 8GUMS.
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