Movie #108- "Manhattan" (1979)

Woody Allen has had an impressive career, spanning six decades of acting, writing, and directing.  You've seen his artistic growth over that period, from his early, sillier comedies, to the examination of relationships and neurosis, to some of his darker work, along with a few valleys.  Allen works outside the Hollywood system, basically puts out a movie every year, and actors love working for him.  "Manhattan" works as a bookend to "Annie Hall", with the search of love, relationships, and the perfect partner.
In "Manhattan", Allen plays Isaac, a television writer who by chance, runs into Mary (Diane Keaton) at a gathering.  The two have differing, intellectual viewpoints, which annoys and intrigues Isaac.  Mary also happens to be having an affair with his best friend Yale.  When the affair ceases, Mary and Isaac begin a relationship full of the witty banter one expects in a Woody Allen film (this is not a dig, as Allen writes very clever dialogue).
"Manhattan" is more than just a love story between people.  It's a love letter to a city.  Filmed in black and white, several significant locations in New York City are gorgeously captured, almost eliminating the grime from the big city.  It's a vibrant location, with several scenes filled with people going about their day, not to be bothered by the filming that is taking place.  The cinema photography of "Manhattan" is beautiful.
Yet you can't discuss "Manhattan" without the elephant in the room.  One of the sub-plots has Isaac dating Tracy, a 17 year old high school girl (Mariel Hemingway).  The situation is creepy enough, but given hindsight and Allen's personal life years after the movie, it ratchets that factor up a couple notches.  Not only is Isaac involved with statutory rape, none of his friends seem particularly fazed by the notion.  I don't know the message Allen is trying to send with this relationship, but it makes an uncomfortable viewing (it's also strange that many of the glowing reviews gloss over that part).
There are many truly funny points to "Manhattan" and it's a wonderful film to look at, however it loses a few points for the cringe inducing romance.

Rating: 7/10
Movies I've previously seen: 6
First time viewings: 102