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Movies / On DVD / Crimes and Misdemeanors
Crimes and Misdemeanors

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Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)

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Reviews Counted:37

Fresh:34

Rotten:3

Average Rating:7.9/10

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS is Woody Allen's most mature, most profound film. Martin Landau plays Judah Rosenthal, a successful ophthalmologist having an affair with Dolores (Anjelica Huston), who is... CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS is Woody Allen's most mature, most profound film. Martin Landau plays Judah Rosenthal, a successful ophthalmologist having an affair with Dolores (Anjelica Huston), who is threatening to reveal their relationship unless Judah commits to her and leaves his wife. He admits his sin to Ben (Sam Waterston), a friend, a patient, and a learned rabbi who is losing his eyesight but not his faith. Judah turns to his brother Jack, who is connected to the mob and can make Dolores disappear. Allen plays Cliff Stern, a documentary filmmaker who accepts an assignment to film his pompous, successful brother-in-law, Lester (Alan Alda), a comedy star; both Cliff and Lester fall for Hallie Reed (Mia Farrow), a producer involved in the documentary. Allen the director brings all the characters together in a fabulous mix of comedy and drama, deceit and delight. CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS is a marvel of complexity, with fascinating, well-written characters; deep, complicated relationships; and thought-provoking examinations of religion, infidelity, morality, murder, comedy, and tragedy. [More]

Starring: Martin Landau, Anjelica Huston, Woody Allen, Joanna Gleason

Starring: Martin Landau, Anjelica Huston, Woody Allen, Joanna Gleason, Alan Alda, Caroline Aaron, Claire Bloom, Mia Farrow, Jenny Nichols, Jerry Orbach, Sam Waterston

Director: Woody Allen

Director: Woody Allen
Screenwriter: Woody Allen
Producer: Robert Greenhut

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Crimes and Misdemeanors

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1 - 20 (sorted by comments; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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The result is a frighteningly intelligent, and often hilariously funny whole.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
02/12/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Dramatically, the film seldom fulfils its promise, and its pessimistic 'moral' -- that good and evil do not always meet with their just deserts -- looks contrived and hollow. Intriguing and patchily effective, nevertheless.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

one of Allen's best, a must-see!

comment Comment
09/19/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

The overall 'philosophical' thrust -- that good guys finish last and that crime does pay -- is designed to make the audience feel very wise, but none of the characters or ideas is allowed to develop beyond its cardboard profile.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment 1 Comment
02/12/08
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader

Allen's expertise is evident everywhere.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
02/12/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Allen starts with a sketchy premise and after working it through for 107 minutes he still has no more than the premise he started with.

Full Review Source: Blogcritics.org | comment Comment
01/17/06
Alan Dale
Alan Dale
Blogcritics.org

Woody was still in that magical time where he couldn't fail.

comment Comment
04/30/03
Alex Sandell
Alex Sandell
Juicy Cerebellum

No review available.

comment Comment
08/16/06
Boyd van Hoeij
Boyd van Hoeij
bibloi.com

By far the most stark blending of humor and tragedy to come to the movies in some time.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hicks
Chris Hicks
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Allen's neurotic outlook on life has never been presented with more clarity.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
03/07/04
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

Intelligent, insightful and funny. One of Woody Allen's best films.

comment Comment
10/08/05
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily

No review available.

comment Comment
08/09/07
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

Sharp and darkly amusing.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
01/01/00
Dan Jardine
Dan Jardine
Apollo Guide

No review available.

comment Comment
01/19/05
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

This examination of the nature of evil interweaves masterfully comedy and melodrama in equal proportion. Instead of taking a casually brutal approach, Allen dwells on the consequences of sin.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
07/18/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

A metaphysical comedy about how we conduct our lives in a time when many think the world is devoid of moral purpose.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
06/08/01
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Like Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, it is designed to inspire discussion rather than solve problems.

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
02/27/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

No review available.

comment Comment
10/11/02
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Allen supplies no easy 'crime doesn't pay'answers, nor does he supply blatant redemptive baptismal scenes or bestow beacons of light upon his characters

Full Review Source: Old School Reviews | comment Comment
01/21/03
John A. Nesbit
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews

...tackles too many of life’s mysteries and provides too few answers. But isn’t that what life is all about: More questions than answers?

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
06/21/01
John J. Puccio
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by comments; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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Latest News for Crimes and Misdemeanors

August 14, 2008: Woody Allen Looks Back With EW Opens in new window
As he prepares to launch his latest feature, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Woody Allen has taken a few minutes to revisit a dozen of his career highlights with Entertainment Weekly. More...

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