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The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
Director: Woody Allen
Writer: Woody Allen
Cast: Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello
Genre: Drama Romance Fantasy
Length: 82 minutes
Synopsis (spoiler free): During the 1930's Depression era, a New Jersey waitress Cecilia (Mia Farrow) seeks to escape her dismal life by fantasying about the movies. Much to her surprise, a charming movie character Tom Baxter (Jeff Dainels), walks off the silver screen and into the real world. The dashing Baxter finds the real world much different than his life on the silver screen. Cecilia is smitten with him. Meanwhile Hollywood executives are up in arms that one of their movie characters has left the screen.
If you're not a fan of Woody Allen, this is the film of his you should watch! First off, he's not in it. Secondly it's a very creative movie idea that borders between surreal to existential, while making us think about our own day dreams and how important they can be.
Mia Farrow is very touching as the neglected housewife who escapes her woes by watching old films. This is one of her best roles and she pours her soul into the performance. She's down trodden, mousey and pitiful. It's a very emotional, bittersweet story thanks to Mia's strong performance.
Jeff Bridges is an underrated actor and he really gets to shine here. He plays duel roles, one role is the silent movie character who walks off the silver screen and into the real world. He's nice, he's naive, he's helpless. That's a character Bridges has done before. But the other role is the real life actor who plays the character. As the actor, Bridges flexes his acting muscle and is self centered, egoistical. He really does a fine job.
It's hard to explain this film, magical is a good word, but it's not fluffy or sappy...it has an edge to it. It's one of a kind.
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
Director: Woody Allen
Writer: Woody Allen
Cast: Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello
Genre: Drama Romance Fantasy
Length: 82 minutes
Synopsis (spoiler free): During the 1930's Depression era, a New Jersey waitress Cecilia (Mia Farrow) seeks to escape her dismal life by fantasying about the movies. Much to her surprise, a charming movie character Tom Baxter (Jeff Dainels), walks off the silver screen and into the real world. The dashing Baxter finds the real world much different than his life on the silver screen. Cecilia is smitten with him. Meanwhile Hollywood executives are up in arms that one of their movie characters has left the screen.
If you're not a fan of Woody Allen, this is the film of his you should watch! First off, he's not in it. Secondly it's a very creative movie idea that borders between surreal to existential, while making us think about our own day dreams and how important they can be.
Mia Farrow is very touching as the neglected housewife who escapes her woes by watching old films. This is one of her best roles and she pours her soul into the performance. She's down trodden, mousey and pitiful. It's a very emotional, bittersweet story thanks to Mia's strong performance.
Jeff Bridges is an underrated actor and he really gets to shine here. He plays duel roles, one role is the silent movie character who walks off the silver screen and into the real world. He's nice, he's naive, he's helpless. That's a character Bridges has done before. But the other role is the real life actor who plays the character. As the actor, Bridges flexes his acting muscle and is self centered, egoistical. He really does a fine job.
It's hard to explain this film, magical is a good word, but it's not fluffy or sappy...it has an edge to it. It's one of a kind.