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The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) - Directed by Woody Allen
Genres: Rom-Com, Postmodernism, Low Fantasy
Well, time for another Tubi update! Purple Rose of Cairo and the first Bill and Ted are leaving in a few days, so I headed to Purple Rose, having already been made familiar with Woody Allen due to Annie Hall and Alive. I've got a free day tomorrow due to a Jewish holiday I keep (based on a relatively obscure brand of Christianity that keeps the ol' Hebrew days), which means I can stay up a little later tonight. So here I was enjoying an odd mix of lemonade Moscato, dry vermouth, tequila, lemon juice and 7up. I ended up saving the disaster with a focus on lemon. I am slightly buzzed right now, and I just got done with Purple Rose.
Another postmodern piece by the man who Americanized Bergman and Fellini, this delightful Depression-era Rom-Com focuses on a waitress who's down on her luck and finds escapism through the movies, until the lead character of one movie reveals himself to have a consciousness and LEAVES THE MOVIE to be with her. However, his stunt draws the attention of the creators of that movie, including the actor who played him. As he travels to the poor woman's town, he falls in love with her and gets locked in a love triangle.
I am head over heels in love with this movie. It's an easy pick for a desert island movie. Woody Allen is at another directorial peak here. I've never seen a meta movie like his that still keeps true to the spirit of the Tom-com. I was deeply engrossed in the realism of Cecelia's character and background, despite the fact that she was essentially another Alice Hyatt. In fact, I would say that the only flaw of this movie is that the lead cast is a little typical, with the only exception being the fictional-turned-real Tom Baxter, who fits a 30's movie trope we never see anymore: the flawless and innocent hero, thus making a trope less predictable for the 80's. And let me point out that Daniels played that actor and Baxter PERFECTLY, standing with the rest of the flawless cast and standing out at the same time! This is easily my favorite duo-tole! And the humor stays focused on the overreactions of the main cast, usually centered around drastic theories concerning the future of our fictitious deuteragonist. But that's not the only kind of humor stemming from his actions. I mean, that tap dancing scene came out of nowhere and it fit perfectly in with the period-rooted humor. And that CLIMAX between both roles by Daniels was just so heartwarming that I was too struck by the authenticity of such an absurd situation to cry or feel anything other than absolute delight... until we get to the real ending... and then I was just heartbroken at the final message: life sucks, and movies are truly out escape.
I SERIOUSLY recommend this for any movie buff who wants to watch something unique, charming, meaningful or inspired. This is a desert island movie for me due to its dedication to its characters and message, as well as the overpowering charm and heart, despite the fact that the characters were a little typical. Honestly, I almost feel like I'd bug Woody Allen to give me the rights to make a sequel until he caved in!
= 92/100
Genres: Rom-Com, Postmodernism, Low Fantasy
Well, time for another Tubi update! Purple Rose of Cairo and the first Bill and Ted are leaving in a few days, so I headed to Purple Rose, having already been made familiar with Woody Allen due to Annie Hall and Alive. I've got a free day tomorrow due to a Jewish holiday I keep (based on a relatively obscure brand of Christianity that keeps the ol' Hebrew days), which means I can stay up a little later tonight. So here I was enjoying an odd mix of lemonade Moscato, dry vermouth, tequila, lemon juice and 7up. I ended up saving the disaster with a focus on lemon. I am slightly buzzed right now, and I just got done with Purple Rose.
Another postmodern piece by the man who Americanized Bergman and Fellini, this delightful Depression-era Rom-Com focuses on a waitress who's down on her luck and finds escapism through the movies, until the lead character of one movie reveals himself to have a consciousness and LEAVES THE MOVIE to be with her. However, his stunt draws the attention of the creators of that movie, including the actor who played him. As he travels to the poor woman's town, he falls in love with her and gets locked in a love triangle.
I am head over heels in love with this movie. It's an easy pick for a desert island movie. Woody Allen is at another directorial peak here. I've never seen a meta movie like his that still keeps true to the spirit of the Tom-com. I was deeply engrossed in the realism of Cecelia's character and background, despite the fact that she was essentially another Alice Hyatt. In fact, I would say that the only flaw of this movie is that the lead cast is a little typical, with the only exception being the fictional-turned-real Tom Baxter, who fits a 30's movie trope we never see anymore: the flawless and innocent hero, thus making a trope less predictable for the 80's. And let me point out that Daniels played that actor and Baxter PERFECTLY, standing with the rest of the flawless cast and standing out at the same time! This is easily my favorite duo-tole! And the humor stays focused on the overreactions of the main cast, usually centered around drastic theories concerning the future of our fictitious deuteragonist. But that's not the only kind of humor stemming from his actions. I mean, that tap dancing scene came out of nowhere and it fit perfectly in with the period-rooted humor. And that CLIMAX between both roles by Daniels was just so heartwarming that I was too struck by the authenticity of such an absurd situation to cry or feel anything other than absolute delight... until we get to the real ending... and then I was just heartbroken at the final message: life sucks, and movies are truly out escape.
I SERIOUSLY recommend this for any movie buff who wants to watch something unique, charming, meaningful or inspired. This is a desert island movie for me due to its dedication to its characters and message, as well as the overpowering charm and heart, despite the fact that the characters were a little typical. Honestly, I almost feel like I'd bug Woody Allen to give me the rights to make a sequel until he caved in!
= 92/100