Manhattan (1979)

In this article, we will be looking at 2019’s book “1001 Movies to See Before You Die” and going through each film in a random order that I have chosen. We will be looking at what constitutes this film to be on the list and whether I think this film deserves to be here at all. I want to make perfectly clear that I won’t be revealing details from this book such as analyses by film reporters who have written about the film in question, so if you want the book itself you’ll have to buy it. But I will be covering the book’s suggestions on which films should be your top priority. I wouldn’t doubt for a second that everyone reading this article has probably watched many of these movies anyway. But we are just here to have a bit of fun. We’re going to not just look at whether it should be on this list but we’re also going to look at why the film has such a legacy at all. Remember, this is the 2019 version of the book and so, films like “Joker” will not be featured in this book and any film that came out in 2020 (and if we get there, in 2021). So strap in and if you have your own suggestions then don’t hesitate to email me using the address in my bio. Let’s get on with it then.

Manhattan (1979) dir. by... oh, oh no... never mind.

I think that the opening sequence to "Manhattan" is one of the most important opening sequences in seventies cinema. And obviously, this film stars Diane Keaton and Diane Keaton is amazing everywhere. I loved her as Kay Adams and I love her as Mary Wilkie. Oh yes, and then there's Annie Hall and she was awesome in that too. Meryl Streep portrays Jill Davis and she too, is pretty incredible in this film.

Lets' take a look at how the critics responded to the film then...

Rotten Tomatoes rates it at over ninety percent and the critics' consensus states that:

"Manhattan has comic integrity in part because [redacted] is now making jokes at the expense of his own parochialism. There's no opportunity to heap condescending abuse on the phonies and sell-outs decorating the Hollywood landscape. The result appears to be a more authentic and magnanimous comic perception of human vanity and foolhardiness."

Newsweek weighed in on the film and I would disagree with the opinion about the script:

"[redacted] growth in every department is lovely to behold. He gets excellent performances from his cast. The increasing visual beauty of his films is part of their grace and sweetness, their balance between [redacted]'s yearning romanticism and his tough eye for the fatuous and sentimental – a balance also expressed in his best screen play..."

Roger Ebert states that the film's best quality is the acting of Diane Keaton and Mariel Hemingway, which I definitely agree with:

"Diane Keaton gives us a fresh and nicely edged New York intellectual. And Mariel Hemingway deserves some kind of special award for what's in some ways the most difficult role in the film."

The Village Voice comments on the final shot in absolute brilliance, I really loved this review and I'll link it so you can check it out because it is really deep:

"Manhattan's last shot, concluding an exchange between Isaac and Tracy as she leaves for London, has been compared to the miracle of recognition that ends City Lights. I read it differently; it doesn't seem an open ending. There's no question that something is over. Youth fades. Love never lasts. Everyone is forever trying to retrieve the past. Only the skyline remains. [redacted]'s subsequent attempts to recapture Manhattan have often been embarrassing, but he (and we) will always have this..."

So, in my personal opinion, the film is very very good mainly for its acting contribution by Diane Keaton because honestly, between the three roles that I mentioned earlier, this is the one where she really comes into her own and alone, she is able to carry the movie like she did in "Annie Hall". She is a brilliant and possibly one of my favourite actresses. She has made a giant contribution to the world of cinema and should be very proud of this role as well.

Citation:

Village Voice Review