Woody Allen: Day Thirteen

The Purple Rose of Cairo is a hidden gem amongst Woody Allen films. It is also the first of his films to not feature Woody Allen himself and the first to feature Dianne Wiest. The film is set during the Great Depression and Cecilia (Mia Farrow) has an abusive husband (Danny Aiello) and wants more out of life. She is a frequent patron of the movie theatre and often sees the same film more than once. The Purple Rose of Cairo is this week's feature and Cecilia sees the film five times. During one screening Tom Baxter, the character played by Gil Sheperd (both played by Jeff Daniels), seems to notice Cecilia in the audience and begins a conversation with her. Tom eventually steps from the screen into the real world and soon wants to run away with Cecilia. This causes a huge controversy in the town and Gil Sheperd and the film's producer arrive to lure Tom back into the film.

The Purple Rose of Cairo is a great film but it is often forgotten due to the fantastic film that followed it.

It is no secret that Hannah and Her Sisters is my absolute favourite Woody Allen film. Each section of the film begins with a quotation or statement written in white text against black and it unifies the storyline of the film. Hannah and Her Sisters is an ensemble and features a terrific cast, with Dianne Wiest and Michael Caine winning Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.

See my original review of the film here.

Next up: Radio Days.

My list:
1. Hannah and Her Sisters
2. Manhattan
3. Annie Hall
4. The Purple Rose of Cairo
5. Broadway Danny Rose
6. Love and Death
7. Interiors
8. Sleeper
9. Zelig
10. Stardust Memories
11. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)
12. Take the Money and Run
13. Bananas
14. What's Up, Tiger Lily?
15. A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy