Not all of his movies are great, in fact some of them are down-right boring, but Woody Allen consistently impresses audiences year after year with his witty, original, and heart warming little films. This year’s film is called CAFÉ SOCIETY and it is definitely one of Allen’s better films in the past few years (easily his best, since BLUE JASMINE). It stars Jesse Eisenberg, Steve Carell, and Kristen Stewart set in the 1930s Hollywood movie scene. Eisenberg plays the nephew of Carell, a Hollywood agent hotshot, and moves from the Bronx to start a career in sunny Los Angeles. The city may not be kind to the young New Yorker, but a girl he meets (Stewart) certainly is. What transpires is a romantic love triangle filled with lies, deceit, and a little bit of movie magic.
You just can’t expect all Woody Allen movies to be perfect. What other filmmaker in the history of cinema has written, directed, and released a film every single year since the 80s? Certainly not James Cameron. But with that out of the way, the movie holds it’s own. It’s fun, cute, romantic, and really funny. Eisenberg seems to play a young Allen, himself, by nailing mannerisms and speaking his poetic dialogue more naturally than anyone else in the film. Stewart trades in her iconic stoicism for a more relaxed, lovable personality that causes the viewer to fall for her just as the characters do. And with Steve Carell being as fantastic as always, the cast is rounded out by a splendid group of strong supporting individuals.
Allen also does a great job of making you feel like your in the 1930s with these characters, without making anything seem dated or “old”. He successfully adapts today’s troubles into a more interesting time frame with a unique backdrop. It doesn’t feel forced and while the story could technically take place in any era, this one feels right. The characters speak a little differently and dress pretty strangely, but it’s fun to hear some iconic names and see new interpretations of what a few famous actors were like back in the golden era of Hollywood.
Most importantly, though, the movie is charming. It’s paced quickly enough so that you never have a chance to be bored. You’re simply too busy being attached to these characters. They’re all so real and likeable, and they feel like you’ve known them for much longer than the runtime. If you’re a fan of Woody Allen, this is another fine film. If you’re not sold, give this one a try and maybe you will be.
3 out of 5 stars
CAFÉ SOCIETY – Dir. Woody Allen
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Steve Carell, Blake Lively, Corey Stoll
Runtime: 96 minutes