Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-25 21:37:25

The Heart Wants What the Heart Wants

Eerily paralleling Woody Allen's defense of the indefensible (his relationship with Soon-Yi), his alter ego in this movie whispers into the neck of Dianne Wiest, "The heart is a resilient, little muscle." He says this while nuzzling Holly, the Wiest character, his brand-new bride who was once upon a time his sister-in-law. Yes, Mickey (the Allen character) is a man who is celebrating his good fortune for having married twice into the sprawling, entertaining, extremely attractive family of Hannah, Holly, and Lee.When I saw this film originally in a Manhattan movie theater on the East Side of New York, I was physically right in the middle of Woody's world. I was quite young, just into my 20s, and I recall literally floating on air when this film was over. I even believe that the whole audience of jaded, sophisticated New Yorkers broke into spontaneous applause as the credits rolled. It was that kind of film.I rented it recently on DVD to recapture that sheer exuberance and cozy familiarity that I have always associated with this flick. The DVD doesn't offer much enhancements; it relies totally on the film and its script to justify the purchase. However, watching it now, nearly 16 years later, I was still bedazzled by the acting, the film score, the way the movie seems to unwind like a great novel rather than a 90-minute film. It was as great an ensemble piece as I recalled, but with a few disturbing elements.There is an underlying immorality to the whole interconnections of husbands, wives, sisters, brothers-in-law, etc. The fact that the film does end on a happy, uplifting note doesn't erase for me now the infidelities, deceptions, and carnal betrayals the sisters and their men perpetrate against one another.Because all of the cast members are so polished, so civilized, so professional, their assaults of the conscience come across as mere affairs of the heart. However, if you sit down and think about the marital bed swapping going on here, it rivals "Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice," a hedonistic comedy of errors.I have to admit that I am still a sucker for the romantic standards that play in the background, the visual valentine to the Manhattan of my youth, but I am disturbed that the seeds of Allen's real-life amorality seem to be sown here, right before Mia Farrow's and the public's eyes.Additionally, there are slaps against the Catholic faith--really just to elicit belly laughs and guffaws--and this antagonism against people of the papal persuasion pops up all too frequently in Allen's films over the past 15 years. "Hannah and Her Sisters" must be a great work of cinema because I would watch it this very moment if it were popped into the DVD player. However, as a caveat to any new viewer or returning watcher, just ask yourself: "If the cast wasn't so amazingly sophisticated and charmingly neurotic, would their behaviors be benignly accepted? Would this be a sweet-natured testament to the folly of love if it played out in a trailer park? Or would it be a typical installment of JERRY SPRINGER."Watch with this viewpoint and see how differently the movie unspools.

Jackson Booth-Millard 2012-05-25 05:06:41

Hannah and Her Sisters

From BAFTA nominated actor/Oscar winning, and BAFTA and Golden Globenominated writer/BAFTA winning, and Oscar and Golden Globe nominateddirector Woody Allen (Annie Hall), this is a terrific comedy drama.Basically during a Thanksgiving dinner party we make acquaintance withthe leading characters, the three sisters: straight-laced Hannah(Rosemary's Baby's BAFTA nominated Mia Farrow), unfaithful Lee(Beaches' BAFTA nominated Barbara Hershey) and kooky Holly (EdwardScissorhands' Oscar winning, and Golden Globe nominated Dianne Wiest).Then after this the story breaks up to follow each individual instories of affairs, break-ups, awkward dates and much more. Allen isfunny as the neurotic and hypochondriac TV producer Mickey Sachs, andhe does a good job directing. But one of the main reasons I wanted tosee the film was for the performance by Oscar winning, and BAFTA andGolden Globe nominated Sir Michael Caine, as Elliot, he plays aterrific bumbling man in love with Hannah's sister, Lee. Wiest is alsovery good as the sister with quite a few problems getting to places shewants to. Also starring Carrie Fisher as April, Max Von Sydow asFrederick, Lloyd Nolan as Evan, Maureen O'Sullivan as Norma, DanielStern as Dusty, Sam Waterston as David, Tony Roberts as Norman -Mickey's Expartner, Julie Kavner as Gail, Bobby Short, JuliaLouis-Dreyfus as Mary and Pleasantville's J.T. Walsh as Ed Smythe. Itwas nominated the Oscars for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, BestFilm Editing and Best Picture, it was nominated the BAFTAs for BestEditing and Best Film, and it won the Golden Globe for Best MotionPicture - Comedy/Musical. Woody Allen was number 71, and Sir MichaelCaine number 44 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, Allen was number 80 onThe 100 Greatest Sex Symbols, Caine was number 7 on The 50 GreatestBritish Actors. Very good!

2012-05-25 03:07:09

A film to enjoy again and again.

Near perfect comedy/drama from Woody Allen doing what he does best - displaying the angst of the upper middle class against a Manhattan backdrop. Allen accurately described this as a 'novel on film' and so it is with chapter headings such as 'The anxiety of the man in the booth' and 'God she's beautiful!' frequenting the screen. Michael Caine is wonderful in a serious role but Woody takes the cake playing his typical nerd who tries to find new meaning in his life after being diagnosed with a brain tumour - converting to Catholicism to boot. Film has the usual classic lines. For example, after a trip to the doctor when it is revealed Woody(Mickey) has a low sperm count a conversation between him and Mia Farrow (Hannah) includes the following - Hannah: Could you have ruined yourself somehow? Mickey: How? Hannah: Excessive masturbation?. Mickey: You knocking my hobby? Those who liked "Annie Hall" and "Mighty Aphrodite" should like this.

2012-05-24 12:09:04

Get to know Woody

This review is from: Hannah and Her Sisters (DVD) My wife is the real Woody Allen fan, but about the 4th time I watched this movie I REALLY enjoyed it. What can I say, I am slow. :> A classic that has a lot of humor and a lot of Woody Allen.

Christopher 2012-05-20 08:58:53

Arguably Allen's Best Work....

Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) Probably when all is said and done, myfavorite Allen movie. This is definitely one of those examples wherethe sum is greater than the parts. Great shots of New York(specifically the city's architecture), great situations, great partiesand great musicAmong the Manhattan-dwelling characters is Michael Caine, who ismarried to Hannah (Mia Farrow) but lusts after her sister (BarbaraHershey) who lives with a tormented artist (Max Von Sydow.) Hannah'sex-husband (Woody Allen) starts dating her other sister (Diane Weist)who wants to date Sam Waterston, even though he'd rather date herfriend (Carrie Fisher).In addition to the cameo by Julia Louise Dreyfuss, the film featurestwo supporting performances by old school actors, Lloyd Nolan and MiaFarrow's real life mom, the original Jane in the Tarzan movies, MaureenO'Sullivan.If that's not enough, Allen throws in plenty of his trademarkhypochondria hysteria, questioning the meaning of the universe andwhether God exists.

ags123 2012-05-19 15:29:39

Woody at his best – insightful, intelligent, original.

This is one of Woody Allen's best films – full of well-definedcharacters, convoluted relationships, and insights into the humanheart. It's endearing, entertaining, and stands up well to repeatedviewings. With that said, I take issue with two things. (1) MichaelCaine. Academy Award notwithstanding, I find him terribly miscast. Tome, he's somewhat out of step with the others. He just doesn't wear hisneurosis well. All the others do. I fail to see what about him wouldappeal to his wife's sister. (2) The ending. It feels a bit too warmand fuzzy in light of everything that's gone before. That marriage andparenthood would suddenly smooth two very rough-edged characters seemsunlikely. And one of the main story lines concerns the fact that Mickeyis unable to father children. Doesn't make sense. Regardless, I stillcome away from this film totally enchanted.

Neil Doyle 2012-05-17 00:53:17

Vignettes in search of a plot...typical Allen fluff...

HANNAH AND HER SISTERS is a series of vignettes about familyrelationships--successful in some ways, overly familiar when WoodyAllen gets into his hypochondriac spin.Handsome photography of New York City, fashionable interiors andexteriors and a cast of pros, makes it all easy enough totake--although I was never a fan of his interior and overlapping dialogwhich gets to be distracting enough without the undertone of musicblasting away on the soundtrack.The MICHAEL CAINE/BARBARA HERSHEY romance is nicely sketched and playedin a natural manner by both stars who share common interests althoughshe's happily married to MAX VON SYDOW. MIA FARROW is an actress wholoves to surround herself with family and friends at the dinner tablerather than concentrate solely on an acting career as a stage actress.Not a big stretch for her--with art imitating life.It's the kind of Allen film that has Woody and his technique writtenall over it. If that's your kind of thing, you'll like it, regardlessof the fact that it's, at heart, very light stuff and ratherinsignificant. The flaws are well hidden by lots of good music on thesoundtrack and occasional flashes of humor in Woody's doctor visitsresulting in his interior dialogs wrestling with his latest X-rays."Don't panic. Don't panic," he tells himself before resorting to--youguessed it--panic. His quest for religious faith is also good for a fewchuckles.It goes on and on in a rather disjointed manner--again, typical Allenstyle--but fans of his films should find this one a bit more likablethan most of those he did in the '80s--and the cast is pleasant enoughto watch despite the familiarity of it all, with MIA FARROW essentiallyplaying herself. DIANNE WIEST is the daffy sister struggling to expressher talent either in the theater or in her writing and has some amusingscenes with Woody as he comes to appreciate her.But, in the end, none of it really makes much of an impression so it'shard to justify the awards and nominations. Must have been a bad year.

2012-05-16 08:10:59

"woody allen's film hits the jackpot!"

In one of woody' best film, he is able to captivate the lives of 3 totally different sisters (and a hypocondriac husband) into an oscar winning film! The first sister is of course Hannah, the kind nurturing mother/ wife, who has remained good friends with her ex (allen) and her new husband (Michael Caine in an oscar winning role) who finds her hard to live with, because she gives so much and expects so little in return. The other sister is Lee (Barbra Hershey who is great) the beautiful, but emotionally sad sister, who wants to escape from her college professor boyfriend, and eventually falls in love with Hannah's husband.The last sister is Holly (Dianne Wiest in an oscar winning role) the eccentric original person, who strives to find herself, while accidentally bringing down her sister hannah, and her rival April (Carrie Fisher). But by the end of the fillm they have all found happiness. Hannah has become more close to her husband. Lee has shrugged off her affair with Hannah's husband (who has fallen back in love with Hannah), and found new love. woody Allen (who has converted to Catholicism, but then tries several other religions) becomes lesser of a hypocondriac,and Holly & woody allen have married. And Allen (unable to have a child with hannah has a child with Holly)! crackerjack cameos by Maurren O' sullivan, and Daniel Stern! A great film all around! A+!

2012-05-15 06:02:19

Woody's Best Film

Typical No Frills Woody DVD ...However, 'Hannah' happens to be the best film Woody has ever made. It has the perfect blend of comedy & drama.So, ignore the lack of extras, and pick up a great American classic.

Savannah 2012-05-14 23:56:05

aweful!

`Hannah And Her Sister' is a movie written, directed, and produced by WoodyAllen. This film is actually my first Woody Allen movie so far. And I canconfidently say: It will be my last! This is a film that takes place over athree-year period beginning with Thanksgiving, and the ending scenelikewise. In the Beginning of this movie we see a man (Hannah's husband)looking, actually starring, at a woman, who come to find out is Hannah'ssister. And not to mention Hannah is this mans wife. So yes you guessed it,Hannah's husband is undoubtedly having, and has had for a while now,passionate feelings about his wives sister. For the most part, this wholemovie is centered on betrayal. Woody Allen, who is Hannah's ex-wife, and is a diagnosed Hypochondriac. Heactually seemed like more of an ADD patient to me, seeing as how he wasincredibly annoying! His sense of humor was absolutely a dry wit that only40-year-old men think is funny and humorous to the least bit. He isconstantly making child like comments, trying desperately to be funny,however he fails time and time again. Throughout the movie Allen tries to goto different doctors to heal his of being hypochondriac and seeking todiscover any signs that could possibly reveal to him if the diagnose forHypochondriac are accurate. Well, they apparently are because the entiremovie all he does is worry about anything and everything. He even triedabout 5 different religions and seeks higher powers, because he feels heneeds something to search for. Towards the end of the film, Woody falls in love with Hannah's littlesister, and crazy sister might I add, Lee. The two fall in love, andapparently are happy.This whole movie is about un-content husbands, sister, and friends.Everyone does things and makes their choices in this film based on their ownselfishness, and unsatisfaction of life. I don't want to spoil the end ofthe film for you, but I also don't recommend wasting your time watching iteither. This movie is totally rated a 1 (1 being the lowest) for its dryhumor, and lack of moral. If you enjoy getting your entertainment frombetrayal than by all means watch this film. It will not leave youdisappointed!

desibane 2012-05-05 22:04:45

this movie was awful

This movie was terrible as are mostly all of Woody Allen's films. It'snot funny, every person in here acts like they're in a bad off Broadwayplay, and it's kind of embarrassing that a very funny comedian LewisBlack is in this garbage and not being funny either. I find it funnythat most of Woody Allen's films are about people cheating on eachother and nobody feeling sorry or remorseful afterward. It's ironicthat in this movie Mia Farrow's husband cheats on her with her sister,since in reality Woody cheated on her and left her for her adopteddaughter. If you want to see a really funny movie rent any one of MelBrooks' films over this tripe.

Tim Cox 2012-05-05 18:44:33

Hannah and Her Sisters

A brilliant comedy by Woody Allen that examines the contemporaryrelationships and romantic attachments of three sisters living in New York.Caine and Weist captured Oscarsfor their supporting roles and Allen also won for for superbscreenplay.

bonkey 2012-05-04 12:30:29

My favorite Woody Allen film

Yep, I agree with Steve: "Hannah and her sisters" is MY favorite WAmovie, too, followed by "Manhattan" and "Annie Hall" in a tie. It ispoignant, hilariously funny, beautifully acted and photographed andtightly written. WA has become very Politically Incorrect since hisliaison and later marriage to his adopted daughter with Mia Farrow.Many great artists throughout history have been severely flawedindividuals and some argue that WA's actions put him in his thiscategory. Still, a fan does not have to approve of the LIFE of theartist to laud the art. One has only to look at the derivative rehashesthe studios are putting out this Summer to see the genius of WA. WillWA ever produce films as great as "Hannah", "Manhattan" and "Annie"? Ihope so!

2012-05-04 02:22:27

ok

It is OK movie to watch, but it is not among the best from Woody Allen.

Martin Bradley 2012-04-30 07:09:15

Woody Allen's most mature film

This is, perhaps, Woody Allen's most mature film and it's close tobeing his best. It doesn't have the flippancy of "Manhatten" anddramatically it flows more fluently than either "Interiors" or "Crimesand Misdemeanours". It's a tight, economical piece and it's got awonderful ensemble. Hannah, (Mia Farrow) and her sisters Lee, (BarbaraHershey) and Holly, (Dianne Wiest) are central to the proceedings buther husband Elliot, (Michael Caine) and ex-husband Mickey, (Allenhimself), are integral, too. That Elliot has an affair with one sisterand Mickey ends up with the other may seem like stretching it a bit butit never comes across that way. It's so well written and directed andacted, (Caine and Wiest won Oscars but Farrow and Hershey are equallygood), that it feels 'real' as if we have been privileged to enter thisenclosed and enlarged family unit, (Maureen O'Sullivan and Lloyd Nolanare the theatrical parents, Max Von Sydow the very po-faced, verySwedish artist that Hershey's sister lives with).It's also very funny but this time round the jokes seem less likeone-liners and more integrated into the situations. It's certainly upthere with "The Purple Rose of Cairo", (and yes, "Manhatten","Interiors", "Crimes and Misdemeanours" and the underrated"September"), with the very best of Allen and a key work that one canreturn to again and again.

Francis Elliott 2012-04-29 23:09:58

Hannah and her sisters: a reflective view of life

Although in my Woody Allen Films list I place this movie in the thirdposition after Annie Hall and Crimes and Misdemeanors, unquestionably,this is one of his finest works. We are thrown into our faces, onceagain, the ugliness of life, which is full of lies, doubts, remorse,sorrow and unreached goals."Hanna and her sisters" tells the intertwined stories of three sistersfrom a family of artists, Hanna (Farrow), Lee (Hershey) and Holly(Weist), their relationship with each other, their respective loverelationships and the relationship with their parents. On the one hand,Hanna was married to Mickey (Allen), a hypochondriac man that runs a TVshow, but now she's married to Elliot (Caine), who is secretly in lovewith Lee, who lives with a man she no longer loves and who actuallyfinds boring, Frederick, a reclusive artist whose knowledge and wisdomlured her at first. On the other hand, there's Holly, acocaine-addicted whose life is a complete failure. She can't find asingular regular job, is always asking for money and has no boyfriend.Holly is very different from her sisters.Through this story, Woody Allen shows us again how we spent our livesregretting that we should have done something when we had the chance.We feel miserable and lonely because we lack of determination tofinally aim a target and reach it. Life ends up to quickly and werealize that we've done nothing but regret about the past.In this case, Woody presents us his pessimistic but reflective view oflife through a much more complex treatment of human relation-ships.Many different characters with their respective personalities appear in"Hanna and her sisters". Because of this, I wouldn't say this is hisbest movie, but I would say that is the most admirable one and, in myopinion, the hardest one to achieve.With some help from a dreamed ensemble, Woody creates this master piecein which he combines images with intelligent and deep dialogues andpassionate music.A very solid five-star movie.

2012-04-28 05:39:01

Woody at his best

This is my favorite of Woody Allen's films, for a few reasons, but I think the single biggest one is a line delivered by Max Von Sydow: "I turned on the telivision today for the first time in years, and just changed the channels. It was horrifying. Deoderant ads, soap operas, professional wrestling. There are people that watch professional wrestling as an entertainment? But the worst were the televangelists: 'Jesus says' this and 'Jesus says' that. 'Give money for Jesus.' If Jesus came back and saw what was going on in his name, he'd never stop throwing up."

2012-04-27 16:14:56

Hannah et al.

My guy friends tend to give me grief that I include "Hannah and Her Sisters" in my top three "all-time best films ever" list-- and I'm not sure exactly what it is about this movie that keeps me watching it over and over. Maybe its the wholesome sexiness of Lee (Barbara Hershey) and her dark-eyed brooding. Or it could be the Oscar-winning performance of one of my favorite actors: Michael Caine, who pulls off his career performance by delivering the travesty of adultery as a warm sweater that I slip into on a cold New York afternoon. As a general worshiper of women of all descriptions, I also can't deny that indulging in the intimate relationships of Hannah and her uniquely beautiful sisters is a pure pleasure. The musical score serves as the most introspective character of this piece, Woody's typically perfect collection of classic melancholia-- Hannah's father plays a piano version of "You Are Too Beautiful" that makes me catch my breath. I could go on and on. All of these elements are but a glimpse of a gestalt of sublime screenwriting, acting, and direction that brings me back to this film on a regular basis in order to fuel my emotional well-being.For those building a library, this is the first film you should own by Woody Allen, as it will introduce his genius to you on a rich and familiar level that will only leave you wanting to see, hear, and feel more (Manhattan).

Andrew DiMonte 2012-04-27 02:43:45

One of Allen's best films and definitely his best performance...

"Hannah and Her Sisters" is a comedy/drama (though mostly drama) about adozen characters and their stories, all connecting back to three sisters:Hannah (Mia Farrow), Lee (Barbara Hershey) and Holly (Dianne Wiest). Hannahis the favorite, talented and kind, Lee is almost equally favored, but Hollyis the outcast, with a past of drugs and always asking for money. Othercharacters include Hannah's hypochondriac ex-husband Mickey (Woody Allen),her current husband Elliot (Michael Caine), Lee's boyfriend Frederic (Maxvon Sydow) and Holly's friend April (Carrie Fisher).Like I said before, this is not so much a comedy as it is a drama. Thecomedy that's in it fits, and is good, but the drama is better. Elliot'ssecret love for Lee is handled in a romantic way, but their infidelity isstill seen as wrong, and you feel their guilt and inner turmoil. Mickeythinks he has a brain tumor, he finds out he doesn't and then he feelsworse, and starts desperately searching for a purpose to live. All theother stories are equally dramatic, with comedy fittingly sprinkled inplaces too.The acting is quite good, everyone playing their part perfectly, whetherit's big or small. The film's best performances come from Allen (in what'sno doubt his best performance) and Dianne Wiest as the extremelyunder-confident youngest sister. Allen and Wiest don't necessarily carrythe film, as there's no need to, but their segments were certainly the best,for me at least. The rest of the cast put forward too, especially Max vonSydow and Michael Caine in his first (and so far his only deserving) Oscarwin.Woody Allen's direction is at the top of its form here too, much like "AnnieHall" and his other greats. The camera work and use of voice overs areexcellent. For instance, there is an intensely dramatic scene where thethree sisters have lunch together and for the entire scene the camerarotates around the table, the speaker not always in the frame. His scriptis great too, it knows when to be dramatic and when to be funny and when tobe both.One of Allen's very best, 8/10.

2012-04-26 11:46:22

Good film ONCE YOU EXCUSE WOODY

I am NOT a fan of Woody's.This is the ONLY film of his I have ever seen. Keeping in mind a "Star Wars" fan & collector has NOT gotten over "Annie Hall" beating "A New Hope Episode 4" at the 1978 "Academy Awards". Saw this in the 1980's because I am a fan of Carrie's.It is a good film. Oscar winner.It is NOT the best film ever made, but it is interesting.NO extras but a trailer. Booklet inside is NOT good, just about Woody NOTHING about the other actors even after 2 of them won Oscars for the film.Just good to see the film wide screen.Once you get past Woody's Mickey characters just ignore that one & follow the stories of the other characters.