omg, reading thru all the vapid hollywood threads was worth finding this topic. i've read some of woody allen's short stories before and even did a pastiche of him. but never seen his movies. i just watched annie hall and this is what i have been looking for from cinema; mental masturbation. though i love the humor, i wish he wouldv concentrated a bit more on a cohesive aesthetics.

Manhattan has everything you're looking for and more. I'd like to hear your thoughts on it, and especially Gordon Willis' cinematography. I'm sure it'll change your mind about Allen's visual artistry.

I think if anything he's making fun of intellectuals here, as he often does (remember the scene in Annie Hall when they are waiting in line at the movie theater). It is, after all, a mockumentary, and most of the characters in the film are self-sophisticated morons.

These sorts of films are usually hit-and-miss, but I think Woody really nailed this one. It all comes down to writing. Another thing to note is the 360 character turns, where the two couples essentially switch roles by films end, making it all the more interesting structurally. I think it's one of the best films of the 1990's.