The story begins with a quote from Shakespeare's Macbeth. It is appropriate since the action is set in London. Helena, a woman of a certain age, has been dumped by Alfie, her husband of forty years in exchange for a young floozy. As a way of consolation, Helena begins going to a seer that is more interested in the way she will be paying her sessions, rather than in telling the truth. Alfie has hooked with Charmaine, a gold digger, much younger than himself. With the help of Viagra, something that takes a while to take effect, Alfie is able to perform with the oversexed Charmaine.
Meanwhile, Helena's daughter Sally, is having problems of her own. She is married to Roy, a former doctor that has decided to try his hand at writing. Roy and Sally's marriage is obviously over. Roy catches the sight of an exotic looking Dia, a young woman who lives across the street from their place. When they finally meet, Roy tells her the right things, for she falls for his lame stories.
Roy has another big problem: he is blocked. His last submission to the publisher is rejected by the editor, who feels Roy has lost his touch. An opportunity Roy never expected falls on his lap after a friend, one of his poker playing partners, has written an excellent book. When a car accident fatally injures Roy's friend, he decides to submit the other man's manuscript as his own, which is accepted by the editorial.
With the encouragement of Helena, Sally begins to pay close attention to Greg, the interesting owner of the art gallery where she works. Greg, in turn, has other things in mind. Lucky for Sally, she does not make a fool of herself. After realizing she has no future with Greg, Sally decides to open her own gallery, but for that she needs money, something she needs badly from her mother.
Woody Allen's new film has all the elements of his previous work in it, but somehow it is predictable. There are the clever dialog between the characters, something one expects from his movies. Working in London in what feels like typical English situations, does not have the spark of most of the films he made in New York. Perhaps his choice of characters, not as clever as his Manhattan denizens, sort of slow the process we were accustomed in his better films. It is by no means, a failure, but after all is said and done, Mr. Allen has done better.
Best thing in the film is Josh Brolin's Roy. This actor keeps surprising in unexpected ways. He is truly versatile as he shows in the film. Naomi Watts has done better. Anthony Hopkins has a small part. Gemma Jones is good as Helena and Lucy Punch makes a delightful Charmaine. Antonio Banderas is seen as the gallery owner. Freida Pinto is the beautiful Dia. The supporting English cast does a fine job, specially Pauline Collins, Johnathan Ashton-Griffiths, and Celia Imrie.
The cinematography of Vilmos Zsigmond enhances the look of the film.
Meanwhile, Helena's daughter Sally, is having problems of her own. She is married to Roy, a former doctor that has decided to try his hand at writing. Roy and Sally's marriage is obviously over. Roy catches the sight of an exotic looking Dia, a young woman who lives across the street from their place. When they finally meet, Roy tells her the right things, for she falls for his lame stories.
Roy has another big problem: he is blocked. His last submission to the publisher is rejected by the editor, who feels Roy has lost his touch. An opportunity Roy never expected falls on his lap after a friend, one of his poker playing partners, has written an excellent book. When a car accident fatally injures Roy's friend, he decides to submit the other man's manuscript as his own, which is accepted by the editorial.
With the encouragement of Helena, Sally begins to pay close attention to Greg, the interesting owner of the art gallery where she works. Greg, in turn, has other things in mind. Lucky for Sally, she does not make a fool of herself. After realizing she has no future with Greg, Sally decides to open her own gallery, but for that she needs money, something she needs badly from her mother.
Woody Allen's new film has all the elements of his previous work in it, but somehow it is predictable. There are the clever dialog between the characters, something one expects from his movies. Working in London in what feels like typical English situations, does not have the spark of most of the films he made in New York. Perhaps his choice of characters, not as clever as his Manhattan denizens, sort of slow the process we were accustomed in his better films. It is by no means, a failure, but after all is said and done, Mr. Allen has done better.
Best thing in the film is Josh Brolin's Roy. This actor keeps surprising in unexpected ways. He is truly versatile as he shows in the film. Naomi Watts has done better. Anthony Hopkins has a small part. Gemma Jones is good as Helena and Lucy Punch makes a delightful Charmaine. Antonio Banderas is seen as the gallery owner. Freida Pinto is the beautiful Dia. The supporting English cast does a fine job, specially Pauline Collins, Johnathan Ashton-Griffiths, and Celia Imrie.
The cinematography of Vilmos Zsigmond enhances the look of the film.