Movie Pick Of The Week

CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS

Written & Directed By Woody Allen

Gabazooba started with me wanting to pick a different movie every week and not just review it, but analyze it. I wanted to pick movies that struck a chord with me that I thought most of the people I know hadn't seen or at least heard of. Then I thought I could bring on some friends and turn it into something a little bigger. Thus, Gabazooba was born. But when it came time to write the first of my weekly movie pics, I was at a loss. I wanted to choose something I thought would be easily accessible or maybe a little popular. Then I saw "Crimes And Misdemeanors" and while I liked it a lot I didn't think it would be the right choice. As time passed though, I couldn't seem to get it out of my mind. It was a powerful film that had stuck with me and ultimately became the choice for my first film to write on.

"Crimes And Misdemeanors" tells the two juxtaposing stories of Judah (Martin Landau) and Cliff (Woody Allen). Judah is a successful opthamologist who's mistress of 2 years, Dolores, decides that she is ready to confess to his wife. Judah, who is well liked by everyone he knows and still enjoys a great marriage with his wife, isn't very happy with her decision and tries to change Dolores' mind anyway he can think of. This only angers her more, pushing her to not only confess about the affair but also how he has embezzled money out of his practice. He confides in a long time friend and rabbi, Ben, who he is treating for an eye disease that is causing him to slowly go blind. Ben urges Judah to confess his infidelity and hope for forgiveness. Not wanting to risk his reputation, Judah turns to his brother Jack, who leads a far more criminal life. After much contemplation, Judah decides to have Jack set it up so that Dolores is killed.

Intercutting this dark tale is the much more lighthearted tale of Cliff, who is struggling with an ending marriage and documentary career that never really took off. When his brother in law, Lester, comes into town Cliff is asked to direct a PBS documentary on Lester as part of their "Creative Minds" series. Lester is a succesful TV writer/producer who Cliff despises because he thinks that his works is intellectual dribble, but takes the job to fund a project he is truly passionate about. While working on the documentary Cliff and Lester both meet Halley, whom they both make advances toward.

"Crimes And Misdemeanors" offers a bleak look at humanity, along with it's relationship with God, and does so with poetic flair. Take for instance the scene in which Judah, unable to sleep, wanders his house in the middle of the night having an imaginary conversation with Ben about whether or not he should have Dolores killed. Alone in the darkness of his own home, as well as his mind, Judah confesses "God is a luxury I can't afford". He has Dolores killed and suffers the guilt. Remembering the words of his very religious father "The eye's of God are always on us", Judah feels that his punishment as a guilty man is soon near.

Woody Allen, along with famed cinematographer Sven Nykvist, has crafted what I consider a masterful film of deep, important, and philosophical themes on par with the "Seventh Seal". Notice how Allen and Nykvist film the movie by setting up the scenes and just letting the actors make the most of them. When a scene begins, the camera is on a character and it follows that character, along with others in the scene, with such grace and subtly that you almost don't notice the fact that you are watching one long take after the other.

"Crimes And Misdemeanors" offers many questions on justice, morality, humanity, and the existence of God. It answers them in the bleakest manor but I won't speak of that because I don't want to spoil the film. I will say that it is a great movie with beautiful cinematography, wonderful acting, and a phenomenal story. If you are interested in philosophy and questions larger than those posed in most films today I highly recommend it. I encourage everyone who reads this to rent it, download, or even buy it (if you really trust my opinion) and comment back. Lets start a discussion.


8/10