Crimes and Misdemeanors Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 928

Average Rating: 3/4

# of Ratings: 127

Theatrical Release Date: 10/13/1989

Language: English

Genre: Comedy, Drama

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Director: Woody Allen

Actors: Martin Landau, Anjelica Huston, Woody Allen, Alan Alda, Sam Waterston, Claire Bloom

Plot: An ophthalmologist is faced with a dilemma when his mistress of many years demands marriage or she will come clean with the affair. But will he choose murder over the destruction of his life? Meanwhile a documentary filmmaker wants to do a piece on a philosophy professor but instead is told to film a portrait of successful TV producer - his brother-in-law Lester, whom he despises. -- Chris Kavan

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 07/04/2019

Before "Match Point," Woody Allen made this slightly more enjoyable film about murder and morals. "Crimes and Misdemeanors" is complex and finds a balanced blend of comedy and drama.

mitchellyoung - wrote on 01/10/2012

This is Woody Allen in one of his most introspective films. He abandons most of his trademark neurotic comedy to present a melancholy and insightful view of two parallel stories that deal with themes of morality and fidelity. Martin Landau's grave portrayal is one of many reasons to watch the film.

SIngli6 - wrote on 04/05/2011

If one is going to merge two short films together, one should at least establish stronger links between them (a tenuous one in the form of a blind Rabbi simply does not suffice). Thankfully, Woody Allen's sophisticated and intermittently acerbic wit prevents the task of viewing this film from falling into a level of terminal drudgery.

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

Crimes and Misdemeanors review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 03/22/2013

"The eyes of God sees all." A philosophical film with a mixture of drama, tidbits of Hollywood and comedy. Admittedly this reviewer is not a fan of Woody Allen, this one finally made a lot of sense without being too "talky" or preachy, much like the Coens' underrated smart flick A Serious Man. This reviewer favors this film over the director's other works. This is a masterpiece of film-making in all aspects and should be enjoyed by those who despise his movies such as this rater. Judah Rosenthal is a successful married ophthalmologist who likes to end an affair with neurotic Dolores Paley. Clifford Sternis an unhappy filmmaker who falls for Halley. The direction was fluid, the characters interesting from the get-go. Not really an original plot but provocative …

filmfan09
Producer

one of the greatest movies Woody Allen has made

filmfan09 - wrote on 02/26/2009

Martin Landau is excellent as an aging wealthy ophthalmologist with a loving wife, a family, and has eveything he could desire. He has been having an affair with a younger woman for the past couple of years (Anjelica Huston), and now he wants to end the relationship, but the devastated woman will have none of it and constantly threatens to tell his wife and ruin the perfect lifestyle. His brother Jerry Orbach) who is in the business of arranging "quick solutions" to such situations. Now Landau has to decide whether or not he can live with having his lover murdered to get himself out of a jam.

The second parallel story with Woody Allen Woody Allen as a filmmaker who's stuck in a boring marriage, and who is pushed by his wife into making a documentary about his jerk of a brother-in-law …

Franz Patrick
Movie God

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Franz Patrick - wrote on 12/24/2007

Another one of Woody Allen's greats. Although I didn't like it as much as "Match Point," I did like its more than a decade long's foreshadowing of "Match Point." Allen again gives audiences a story about smart people finding their way through the labyrinth of love, lust, and passion. My favourite character is the doctor in Allen's character's documentary. Although we didn't meet him in person, he delivered quotes that are worth pondering over and at the same time serves as (arguably) the narrator of the film. His role towards the end of the film became more complex, as if cancelling out or emphasizing the "advices" he stated. There are a lot of elements working together and against each other in this film and that's the beauty of it. There is no one correct interpretation, which makes up …