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Rating: 4.5 out of 5
It done happened again! I got completely off guard by a film and discovered it was a Woody Allen movie. How many movies have been nominated for Academy Awards by this man? It is crazy that when I look at my list, find a movie, and start watching it, it is a Woody Allen film. I can’t front or hate as people love watching his films and find them outstanding. Take this movie, for example, Hannah and Her Sisters. When I first saw it on my list, I thought it was going to be a drama film about death or sisters not getting along. In this film, it was drama, things happening in each sister’s lives, and after a while, you were like, y’all need to stay away from each other. It was crazy but funny to watch because these sisters’ lives were a mess. Thanksgiving dinner with these sisters must be entertaining.
Directed by Woody Allen, Hannah, and Her Sisters occurs a year or maybe two-year period starting and ending at Thanksgiving. Allen splits his story into three storylines, dealing with each sister. The film begins at a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by Hannah (Farrow) and her husband, Elliot (Caine). Most of the entire story revolves around or is connected to Hannah.
The first words are from Elliot, who has a major crush on Hannah’s sister, Lee (Hershey), and wants to be with her as Hannah leaves him unsatisfied. Hannah is a successful actress, caring and loyal but also strong and independent, which Elliot doesn’t like. On the other hand, Lee has lived with Frederick (Von Sydow) for five years. Frederick is a reclusive artist but is much older than Lee. Lee starts to see her relationship with Frederick as unfulfilling as she is not intellectually or sexually stimulating anymore. Frederick keeps stating that she will teach her. What happens? One day, Elliot rolls in with a client to buy art, and then boom, he kisses her. Lee is confused but also has a clue about Elliot’s infatuation for her. They start a full-blown affair. Right now, we have Elliot, who is married to Lee’s sister, Hannah, who is having an affair. This storyline gets a little messy.
The story also introduces Hannah’s ex-husband, Mickey (Allen), a television writer and dude who seems to think his health is falling apart at any instance. Mickey is in the film more for comedic relief and his battle with health. Hannah and Mickey were in a loving marriage but things started to fall apart when they found out that Mickey was infertile. The pair go to a friend and ask for his sperm. Hannah gets pregnant and has twins, but the pair divorces. Mickey goes on a date with Hannah’s sister, Holly. Eyebrow raised as to why you would set up your ex with your sister, but okay. Mickey and Holly’s first date was a complete disaster. Mickey’s health battle is that he thinks he has a brain tumor and always talks about it. When he gets tested and finally learns he has a full bill of health, he does things like switch religions and watch Duck Soup for a revelation about life. This has him ash Holly out on a second date.
This brings us to the third story of Holly (Wiest). To catch up, we have Lee, who is having an affair with Elliot, Hannah’s ex-husband, and now we are on Holly. You can probably tell that Holly might be the black sheep as she is a former cocaine addict. She likes that good shit. She is also an unsuccessful actress who can’t figure out her career. After the first Thanksgiving, she borrows some cash from Hannah, who is unsure, and starts a catering business with her friend April. The only thing is that April and Holly become rivals for a role in a play and want David’s love and affection. Holly manages to have a relationship with David, but after things go bad, she abandons that and her business before trying to be a writer. This career change causes tension with Hannah as she borrows money again. Holly writes a script, but it is a tell-all of Hannah and Elliot’s marriage and might expose the affair. Holly decides to write a story about her life, which Mickey loves, and chooses to make it into a TV show.
What did I tell you! Drama all around! A minor arc deals with the parents, Norma and Evan. You can see where the sisters get most of their problems from. The pair have their own acting careers, but Norma is a rolling stone. Norma is an alcoholic and seems to cheat all the time on Evan. Evan seems to stick with Norma no matter what. Dude is a simp as he sings song and very flirtatious with Norma.
Allen puts a bow on his film on the third Thanksgiving. Lee dropped Elliot as he wouldn’t leave Hannah and married a literature professor. Hannah and Elliot’s marriage seems to be going strong after the affair. That must be a strange sight. Oh, wait, Holly and Mickey are married, and Holly is pregnant. You see how crazy all the intermingling is.
As I stated before, or should I state that Allen has a way of telling a funny ass story. I give the man major props for writing and directing a story in an understandable way that will make you laugh. I read that this was Allen’s biggest box office success for a long time, which is crazy because he seems to have made a lot of hits up to this point. This film was so good that it won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. To write a story like this and try to figure out all the relationships between the three sisters, I give you major props.
As for the acting, I want to give everyone props because they did a great job. First, Mia Farrow as Hannah was nice to watch. There was nothing wrong with her performance as the film revolved around her character. As Hannah, Farrow spoke in a kind and sweet voice when she was on screen. Barbara Hershey as Lee was great to watch as she was the flirtatious sister. When the first words were spoken about her, you seemed to be hooked, as she was the one that would cause a little trouble. Woody Allen as Mickey was the funniest as he was the comic relief. Hearing him speak about his health was annoying because he was scared, but in reality, it was nothing.
The two that stood out the most were Michael Caine and Dianne Wiest. Both performers won the Academy Award for Best Supporting categories. Sir Michael Caine as Elliot was a joy to watch as a man who lusted after his wife’s sister. Sir Caine has a way and style of acting that makes you pay attention to him. From the first words that were spoken, you knew his intentions. Finally, Dianne Wiest was great as Holly. Nothing like playing a recovering cocaine addict who wants to change her life. I feel like she stole the movie as she had the most drama around her, even if she didn’t have an affair.
I have to say that Hannah and Her Sisters was a quality and fun movie to watch. I have to give respect to Woody Allen for seemingly making amazing ass movies back in the 80s and 90s. Allen found his niche in telling funny stories on film. Caine and Wiest were excellent in their respective roles and need to be commended. This is said to be one of Allen’s finest works, and it is.
