Mark Goes To The Movies

Melinda and Melinda (dir. Woody Allen) I think Woody's problem in the last 10 years is that his writing has stagnated--he's run out of new or interesting themes for his movies to explore and for his characters to discuss. You've probably heard about the creaky framework of the new film: two stories involving the same setup (character arrives unannounced at a dinner party), one "tragic," one "comic," both employing similar plot elements and settings. But it's just another Woody riff on life and death, love and restlessness, and how rough it is to be sensitive, creative, well-off, and still miserable in uptown Manhattan. This is sad, because as usual a terrific cast tries to animate the cliches. My favorite is Radha Mitchell, who again exemplifies Mark's Rule #24 of Film ("Australia produces the most beautiful and talented actresses on Planet Earth.") in her portrayal of a truly damaged soul. Also good are Chloe Sevigny as her friend, Jonny Lee Miller as Chloe's obnoxious drunk-artiste husband, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as one of Radha's suitors. But much as I like Will Ferrell, his portrayal of The Woody Character grates--maybe because The Woody Character Itself has grated since right about the time Stardust Memories came out. Mark's review: **½