Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)

Carol (Diane Keaton): Larry, I think it's time we reevaluated our lives.

Larry (Woody Allen): I've reevaluated our lives; I got a 10, you got a 6.

In 1993, Woody Allen needed a change of pace. His previous film, Husbands and Wives, had been largely overshadowed and ignored by audiences who seemed to care far more about Allen's personal problems than his films. Though the film had garnered some positive critical attention, it was too often read into as semi-autobiographical, making it a painful film for many, in light of the surrounding circumstances. Of course, Allen was already hard at work on his next film, Manhattan Murder Mystery by the time the whole Soon-Yi scandal hit its peak. He faced quite a dilemna though, both personally and professionally. It's not my intent to report on his personal life, it's none of my business really (or yours either!), but as far as his film career was concerned, the Soon-Yi scandal had some serious consequences. For one, Allen found himself without the actress (Mia Farrow) who had appeared in every one of his films since 1981 (13 in all). In addition, many people had trouble separating the artist from the man, and the public perception of Woody Allen, in 1993, had drastically changed (in the US anyway). Manhattan Murder Mystery was just the kind of film that he needed to make at this time.

With Farrow no longer a choice for the role of Allen's wife in the film, he turned to the only other logical choice: Diane Keaton. Allen's fans were delighted, since Keaton hadn't appeared in one of his films since Manhattan, nearly 15 years before (her brief cameo in Radio Days not withstanding). It was also a nice slice of coincidence, since much of the plot for the film was taken from the original script and idea for Annie Hall. Co-writer Marshall Brickman (Annie Hall, Manhattan) also returned to work with Allen for the first time since 1979. All the elements seemed to be coming together for the film.

That being established, however, Manhattan Murder Mystery is by no means an important work in Allen's filmography. Allen himself has frequently referred to it as a bit of indulgence on his part, a type of film that he always wanted to make despite its lack of depth or substance. As such, the film seems much closer to some of his earlier comedies, than to any of his later work. It is a delightful, if not overwhelming film. Seeing Keaton and Allen together again onscreen was exhilarating, and many were delighted to find that the great chemistry the two established in the 1970's had lost none of its old magic some two decades later.

Allen and Keaton play an older married couple, living in an apartment complex in New York City (surprise!). They are shocked when they return home one night to find that an elderly woman living in their building, Lillian, has died. Surprisingly, the widowed husband, Paul, seems to take it fairly well. This doesn't sit quite right with Carol (Keaton), who soon begins to suspect that the old man was somehow responsible for her death. Carol, who has a little bit too much time on her hands, soon becomes obsessed with the little "coincidences" that would seem to point to Paul as a possible murderer. Larry (Allen) thinks that Carol is completely nuts, and has no problems telling her so.

Unable to find a believer in her husband, Carol soon begins to consort with the couple's recently divorced friend, Ted (Alan Alda). Together the two push each other on, convincing themselves that Paul is guilty, and soon assuming the roles of bumbling, makeshift detectives. Larry soon begins to think that perhaps his wife and Ted are spending a little too much time together, so he agrees to work with them on the "case", if only to keep his marriage together. Anjelica Huston also comes along for the ride, playing Marcia Fox, who gets involved in the proceedings, and has considerably more than a passing interest in Larry.

The on-screen talent of Allen, Keaton, Alda, and Huston is simply too much to pass up. You owe it to yourself to see this film for what it is: an enjoyable escape. Allen almost has too much fun playing with the genre, and movie references abound (Double Indemnity, Lady from Shanghai, Rear Window among others). Obviously familiar with the genre, he toys with it and pokes fun at it, all the while admirably juggling the subplots of sexual tension and jealously between the four main characters. So, then, while it may not be a classic, Manhattan Murder Mystery is still well worth your time.

Release Date: August 18, 1993

Domestic Total Gross: $11,330,911

Distributor: TriStar

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