MovieChat Forums > Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) Discussion > Unexpectedly overrated

Unexpectedly overrated

posted 9 years ago by xagezos
4 replies | jump to latest

First of all, I love Woody Allen, I truly admire him. Now, I was disappointed by this movie for several reasons.

First, the main plot with the doctor that wants to kill his mistress is extremely common and ordinary.

Second, I found it not funny (although this may be more subjective).

Third, the ending was so banal and coarse. It was like having been written from an uninspired first year student of philosophy -nothing witty, just some timeworn and superficial lines about "choices and how they make us".

For these reasons I am very surprised by the 8/10 (!) in IMDb and some remarks here about the film being "Allen's masterpiece". I gave it a 6/10

Personally, I think his best film is one of Love and Death, Annie Hall or Hannah and her Sisters.

[–] hilaryjrp 9 years ago

First, the main plot with the doctor that wants to kill his mistress is extremely common and ordinary.

Second, I found it not funny (although this may be more subjective).

Martin Landau's acting isn't the only part of the "main plot" that is *not* extremely common and ordinary." 1) We never see the murder. The decision to murder is what you call "the main plot." 2) The "main plot" juxtaposes Landau's cowardly, vain, hypocritical notion of reputation with Sam Waterston's patient, kind, long-suffering faith in God. So therefore, 3) If this is "extremely common and ordinary" to you, possibly you aren't interested in themes recurring in all Woody Allen films.

"Crimes and Misdemeanors" is not meant to be funny. Not sure what you mean by "unexpectedly" overrated, because I assume it wasn't unexpectedly overrated by you.

[–] heartsinwonderland 8 years ago

I was surprised by how overrated I felt this one was too.
I didn't find it unwatchable like some of Allen's (mainly comedies), but I feel this is one of his weakest in terms of how highly regarded it seems to be.
I was really disappointed - I even watched it a second time to see if I felt the same I did the first time. No improvement.

[–] The_White_Hotel 8 years ago

I think it's his best movie. It's magnificent. I could watch it any time.

These are the only words I have, I'm stuck with them, stuck in them

[–] snelling 8 years ago

I don't see how it can be called overrated when not that many people have even seen it. I loved it at the movies in 1989 and even today. Re-watchable in my book.

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