Year: 1985
Director: Woody Allen
Country: US
Language: English
At 77 Woody Allen is among the greatest living American Directors. He consistently makes hit after hit, year after year. Known mostly for his comedic landmark Annie Hall, there are plenty of other great films in his arsenal like Midnight in Paris (2011), Manhattan (1979) and Mighty Aphrodite (1995). His 80's masterpiece The Purple Rose of Cairo should not be excluded from discussion either, for it may be his greatest work.
The plot revolves around Cecilia (Mia Farrow), a waitress in New Jersey during the Depression who is searching for an escape from her dreary life. Tom Baxter is a dashing young archaeologist in the film "The Purple Rose of Cairo." After losing her job Cecilia goes to see the film in hopes of raising her spirits. Much to her surprise Tom Baxter walks off the screen and into her life. There's only one problem..Tom isn't real.
The premise of this film is very strange, yet it works. Allen raises many questions regarding reality and fantasy, doing so in a highly surreal fashion. Essentially this film is like if Frank Capra and Luis Bunuel made a film together. However Allen's film is more crowd pleasing than a Bunuel film, and more specific in subject matter than a Capra film. Purple Rose of Cairo speaks to the soul of anybody who is in love with Cinema, because it is essentially about the restorative power of movies.
Thoug the notion of fictional characters crossing over into “reality” was not a new concept, Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) featured many jokes in which the characters become aware that they are in a movie, Allen directed the film perfectly so that this "crossing-over" didn't become a boring gimmick. It is a fantasy film with brilliant performances by Jeff Daniels and Mia Farrow. When this was first released, the ending of the film was controversial. Many people, including Allen's studio, wanted the film to have a "happy ending". Allen did not give into the pressures and stuck with the ending that he felt suitable. Personally I feel Allen's ending is great, sure Cecilia doesn't get what she wants but at least she is LIVING life instead of acting like she's in a dress rehearsal. The end also strongly emphasizes the healing power of films like Top Hat.
In conclusion, The Purple Rose of Cairo is arguably Woody Allen's best work. It certainly speaks a lot of truth about life, and examines the great importance of art as escapism. Inventive, warm, touching, existential and hilarious, this film does not disappoint on any level. Watch it, then watch it again. Praise it! 5/5
Love me some good Woody Allen 5/5
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