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Manhattan 1979 ★★★½
Damn, the Simpsons were great. While watching Manhattan, I could not stop myself from thinking: that one line that Flanders had (you know the one) is so on the money it's hilarious. You know what? That's one thing you should do: if you ever plan on watching this one or Annie Hall, you should watch A milhouse divided as a warm-up. Pretty sure, it will add to the enjoyment.
Through 2024 eyes, this felt like a time stamp more than anything else. A love letter to New York City, or at least to the good side. I mean, after all, Woody Allen writes about the type of characters never go to Travis Bickle's side of the city. Heck, they would not even have a Bickle-like cab driver in a Woody Allen-flick. This is the sunny side of NYC during the last carefree days, before HIV roared its ugly head.
Also, not going to lie, but with today's knowledge in the back of your mind, the plot with Tracy does become pretty awkward. Not knocking on the movie or the people who like it, but you cannot really ignore it either.
Because – don't get me wrong – this is a good movie. With a lot of witty dialogue and laugh out loud lines. As a comedy, it still holds up. With lines like “you're so beautiful I can hardly keep my eyes on the meter” or the whole argument between Isaac and Yale. For some reason, I also thought this was the one where Woody brought out the author who then went “you know nothing about my work”. Which one was that again?
Anyways, I can see why it got two Oscar-nods at the time and why Siskel and Ebert would give this one two thumbs up. Their (great)grandchildren... probably not so much.
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