The Purple Rose of Cairo
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Movie Reviews of The Purple Rose of Cairo
Movie Review: One of Allen's masterpieces
Summary: 5 Stars
A comedy with a bitter sweet edge, "The Purple Rose of Cario" has a fairly simple premise. Cecilia (Mia Farrow) struggles to make ends meet during the Great Depression. Her husband Monk (Danny Aiello)is a lout who cheats on her and gambles since losing his job and Cecilia has to work in a restaurant and take in laundry to meet their bills and rent. The only escape that Cecilia has is going to the movies--the fantasy world of Hollywood gives her a coccoon from the brutal real world. Her favorite movie "The Purple Rose of Cario" featuring Gil Shepard (Jeff Daniels) as Tom Baxter (also Jeff Daniels in a dual role)changes her life when the character Tom Baxter walks out of the movie into the real world. He says he's in love with her and wants her to be happy something no one else except Cecilia's sister cares about. The rest of the characters in the film (Edward Herrman,Milo O'Shea, Deboarh Rush, Zoe Caldwell, John Wood, Van Johnson)are pretty upset and end up sparing with the audience watching them on screen when they complain how boring the movie is.
"Purple Rose" is one of Allen's most complete films and captures all the wistfulness that lurks in the background of his films. This DVD looks extremely good considering that the transfer is from 2001. There's some minor artifacting particularly when characters move quickly on screen but, on the whole, it's not a big deal. Allen hasn't done commentary tracks are allowed extras on his releases which is too bad as there's cut footage of Viggo Mortensen and Michael Keaton (who was originally cast in the lead instead of Daniels)that would be of interest. I don't know if that footage still exists but if it did it would make a lovely addition to this. Why MGM didn't choose to include archieved footage of Allen talking about the film and new interviews with the stars is beyond me. This Oscar nominated (for Best Screenplay)film certainly deserves a documentary on its making or, at the very least, a featurette. We do get the original theatrical trailer and a booklet that discusses the making of the film.
A great movie that will hopefully get better treatment when it ends up on the Blu-Ray format, "Purple Rose" is still a treat and well worth picking up. It's also priced well at $12-14 at most retail outlets and at amazon.com.
Movie Review: bittersweet
Summary: 4 Stars
A compact, tightly knitted film in a film about small characters in the era of big depression. Cecilia (Mia Farrow) had an unloving husband and a thankless job as a waitress to make ends meet. She found sanctuary in a cinema by watching the film "Purple Rose of Cairo" over and over again to escape from her monotonous life. Her chance came when the on screen hero Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels)walked away from his role into reality to meet his devoted fan. A budding romance began while the movie "Purple rose of Cairo" were brought to a standstill and the rest of the cast (a close resemble to Dinner at Eight?) were thrown in chaos. Entered the real actor Gil Shepherd (tribute to Sunset Boulevard perhaps) to rein in his on-screen character from destroying his career.
Mia Farrow was excellent in her role. She had a dreamy look that would constantly drift in real life. Yet her eyes lit up with passion and her mind would be focused and crisp whenever the conversation turned to movies. The only place and time that would warrant her undivided attention would be in the cinema watching a retrospect film. There her look changed completely and her wounds would be completely forgotton. A bittersweet story, sensitive, meticulously produced and well-directed. Even for a non-Woody Allen fan like me, the movie is unpretentious and beautiful for its simplicity.
Movie Review: Allen Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
It is the depression and Cecilia (Mia Farrow) is married to bum Monk (Danny Aiello). She works and he spends her money. Cecilia's one escape is the movies at the Jewel. When the new film "The Purple Rose of Cairo" opens, Cecilia becomes infatuated with it and its star Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels).
She goes to the film every night, until one night Gil Shepherd (Tom Baxter) stops mid-scene and addresses Cecilia. She is shocked but more shocked when he steps down from the screen. Not only does this throw Cecilia for a loop but the movie is stuck at that point and the actors cannot go on.
Gil does not understand that his false world on the screen and the real world are different. Also, the studio executives are perplexed on what to do. What happens if this happens elsewhere. Tom is also worried that this might hurt his career. So he goes to the town to find his alter ego and convince him to return.
This is a wacky romantic comedy and is Allen's most imaginative film ever. There was no subtext, no hidden messages.
If you want a great original film this is it. If you do not like Woody Allen films, you will probably like this.
DVD EXTRAS: None
Movie Review: Good.!
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm not really a fan of Woody Allen but I did like his movie The Purple Rose Of Cairo and I enjoyed the fantasy plot of the classic movie actor stepping out of the screen and I really thought that Mia Farrow and Jeff Daniels did some great acting and Danny Aiello did a fine job too and I highly recommend this movie. I liked this movie but the ending was sad! I felt so bad for Mia's character being treated so badly! Not only was her boorish husband a schmuck but so Were Jeff Daniel's characters!Movie Review: Pleasant and nostalgic
Summary: 4 Stars
Woody Allen's examination of real life vs. the illusions of the Hollywood screen. Set during the Depression, Mia Farrow is a waitress who spends her spare time going to the movies. Her favorite is one called The Purple Rose of Cairo, which she sees over and over again. One day the lead male character, Jeff Daniels, begins talking to her in the audience and then steps down off the screen. He is sick of playing his role over and over and wants Farrow to show him the real world. They fall in love, of course, and Hollywood goes crazy and sends the real actor (also Daniels, of course) to persuade him to get back up on the screen again. He falls in love with Farrow, too, and she must decide what to do - stick by the actor of the film (his film name is Tom Baxter) or the real Daniels. She opts for the real guy only to be dumped by him. (Ah, reality!) It's a clever idea, though it doesn't have many places to go; thus the picture seems somewhat slight. As in RADIO DAYS it's brimming with sweet and sentimental nostalgia. It's a transition movie between Allen's social comedies and his serious Bergmanesque movies to follow. Worth a watch.