Manhattan (1979)

Manhattan
Directed by Woody Allen
Written by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman
1979/US
IMDb page
Repeat viewing/Amazon Prime rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

Isaac Davis: Chapter One. He was as tough and romantic as the city he loved. Behind his black-rimmed glasses was the coiled sexual power of a jungle cat. Oh, I love this. New York was his town, and it always would be.

When I saw this on original release, long before the scandal, I thought this was Woody Allen’s best ever. Decades later it’s still near the top. As a valentine to New York City, it will probably never be surpassed.

Isaac (Allen) is a twice-divorced TV comedy writer. His last wife (Meryl Streep) left him for another woman and is now writing a scathing memoir about the horrors of their marriage. He is dating a 17-year-old high school student named Tracy (Mariel Hemingway). Tracy is the only character in the movie who is not pretentious and neurotic.

Tracy and Isaac double date with Isaac’s best friend Yale (Michael Murphy) and his wife Emily. Early on, Yale discloses that he is having an affair with journalist Mary (Diane Keaton), whom Isaac hates at first meeting. Then she changes his mind and complications ensue.

I remember this movie mostly for the scenes with Mariel Hemingway who was perfect for her character. But the images of Manhattan and all that glorious Gershwin music are the star attractions. Allen also gets in some hilarious digs at pseudo-intellectuals. Recommended.

This gives me chills