Café Society (2016)

-Watched at Landmark’s Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee-

I don’t know what the point of reviewing a Woody Allen film is really. His filmmaking factory brings the same butts into seats every year. You know you’re going to have at least a little bit of fun, but it’s never gonna make you wanna clap at the end. I am one of those that will probably always show up for Woody’s annual 90 minutes of cinematic self-loathing.

His latest film is a 1930s Hollywood love triangle starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart and Steve Carrell. Kristen Stewart’s character is a secretary who must choose between her powerful, married boss, or his dorky nobody nephew. Her choice alters both of their lives dramatically, and we watch as her decision effects all of them. Throughout the film we see what it’s like for all of the characters to have conflicting feelings always lingering in the background.  

I think the biggest surprise of this film was how well Jesse Eisenberg fit in. He played the talkative nerdy Woody Allen-type with a more innocent level of charm and without the blunt negativity than we’re used to. This young man actually has a lot of hope. His cute hunched shoulders and deer-in-the-headlights look gave him a vulnerability that was strong until the film jumps ahead to “present day.” He’s suddenly as rich and powerful as his uncle and his nervous ramblings turn into schmuck-y socialite banter. The character growth is so cliché and expected, they fall completely flat when they are all reuniting. Of course money changes people into the snobs they used to loath. But wait! Maybe there is some of their old selves underneath those fur coats and tuxes? Of course there is. All of the secondary characters are stereotypical archetypes that lack depth- the Jewish parents, the intellectual, the gangster, etc. As dialogue-driven as Woody Allen is, he really needs to spend more time on layered character development.

This film didn’t have me leaving the theatre thinking or feeling a dang thing. But if you want to be slightly entertained for a little while and just see what Woody Allen has been up to, go see it. Kristen Stewart’s cute little socks under her heels and general pretty outfits at least kept my eyes stimulated.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2c1y1HT0y