Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)
This film hit two major landmarks......it was the last co-starring collaboration between WoodyAllen and Diane Keaton and it arrived just as Allen began his long, protracted side into notoriety His longtime partner and frequent co-star Mia Farrow had just discovered Allen's affair with one of their adopted step-children.....whom he later married.
But we'll say nothing more about Allen's well known controversial, scandal-ridden personal life and concentrate on the movie......which, regardless of whatever opinion the world (and BQ) may personally hold about Allen, remains a breezy, witty piece of funny fluff. (It's even one of Allen's own favorites among his lengthy impressive filmography. )
To Millennials and Gen-Zers, 'MMM' may appear to have directly inspired Hulu's hit comedy series 'Only Murders In The Building'. As supremely self absorbed, upper middle class New York apartment dwellers, Allen and Keaton finally come across something that breaks through their usual obsessions (Books, art, films, concerts, Broadway, wine, restaurants, divorces and backbiting gossip).......the death of one of their neighbors.
Larry and Carol Lipton (Allen, Keaton) are stunned by the sudden tragedy that's befallen their overbearing and aging apartment neighbors, Paul and Lillian House (Jerry Adler, Lynn Cohen). Lillian's succumbed to a fatal heart attack only a day after she and Paul shared a chatty night of coffee and conversation with the Liptons.
Carol, to Larry's muttering exasperation, thinks Lillian's death is suspicious and worthy of some amateur Nancy Drew-ish investigation. Larry, ever neurotic and fearful, tosses out a steady stream of nervous gags as he grows increasingly manic in his frustration with Carol's and her quest....... to find out how Paul murdered his wife. Getting no help from Larry, she turns to their best friend Ted (Alan Alda) a equally high strung stage director who's more than eager to join Carol as a sleuth partner.....(especially since he thinks of her as the-one-that-got-away.....)
In addition to his usual trademarked lampooning of New York City's upperclass culture vultures, Woody Allen remembers to duly pay homage and respect to the murder mystery genre itself.......so expect surprises, twists, shocks, and as a loving bonus, a bang-up tongue in cheek tribute to the classic finale of Orson Welles' "The Lady From Shanghai".
And best of all, the movie's madcap MVP Diane Keaton once again reminds us why we all fell in love with her. Her constant rapid fire bickering with Allen almost plays like patter songs in a Broadway musical. And when she finally convinces him to join her as in co-detecting, they're a priceless goofy Nick and Nora 'Thin Man' team to die for......and they almost do.
While we realize that Allen now remains a problematic, divisive figure for many people when it comes to fairly judging his work, we've no qualms about liking this movie. It's a slick mixture of modern anxiety comedy, tricky mystery and propelled by one the most delightful actresses of 20th century cinema.
That's more than enough for a 4 star rating. (****).
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