What do you expect from a Woody Allen movie? Rich scenery, lots of talking that contains crisp dialogue detailing a story about difficult love? Well if so his latest movie Café Society won’t disappoint.
Director Woody Allen on set with Steve Carell (Phil). CAFE SOCIETY Entertainment One Films release.
Set in the 1930’s American the film starts with a quick introduction to all the characters, before settling on Brox born Bobby Dorfman (Jesse Eisenberg.
Bobby travels to Hollywood hoping to make it in the film industry. Arriving in town the only person he knows is his uncle Phil (Steve Carell). A name dropping, big shot agent and nightclub owner, Bobby assumes he’ll find him a job.
Phil (Steve Carrell) in a scene from CAFÉ SOCIETY Entertainment One Films release.
After months of avoidance Phil finally comes good with an offer and his down to earth secretary Vonnie (Kirsten Stewart) suggests she show him the town. Queue gorgeous scenery, old cars and stunning homes.
As expected Bobby starts to fall for Vonnie but is soon rebutted when she explains she has a boyfriend. When the boyfriend proves extremely elusive the two start to date and marriage looms large, until a secret is uncovered. Vonnie decides to marry another.
Bobby (Jesse Eisenberg) and Vonnie (Kristen Stewart) in a scene from CAFÉ SOCIETY . An Entertainment One Films release.
After returning to New York Bobby soon finds himself rising to the top of the local high society scene, after owning a nightclub with brother Ben. Ben has a different way of making sure things get done. The delightful phrase … ‘cranial ventilation’ comes to mind.
Married and doing well, Bobby’s world future is thrown into confusion when ‘in walked the past’. Uncle Phil arrives in his club having ended his first marriage and with a new wife on his arm … a now refined Vonnie.
Veronica (Blake Lively) and Bobby (Jesse Eisenberg) in a scene from CAFÉ SOCIETY. An Entertainment One Films release.
Café Society is about dreams and as Bobby says ‘dreams are just dreams’. It explores the many guises of love, infidelity, lifelong love and love that was never meant to be, while trying to stay true to your values.
Director Woody Allen on set with Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. CAFE SOCIETY. An Entertainment One Films release.
Stewart fits into the character well even without the need for 1930’s hairstyles. Steve Carell is perfectly loathsome as the ego-riddled agent, and Jesse Eisenberg channels the neurotic Allen-esque character well.
As I drove away I pondered …
- How I wish I could turn out phrases like ‘cranial ventilation’.
- The set designs are gorgeous and the jazz club somewhere that you could imagine Woody Allen playing.
- I must admit that whenever Eisenberg giggled I was reminded of his Joker character in Batman. I wonder how much time there was between movies?
For more information on Café Society go to Luna Cinemas
Another great treat from Allen
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Story
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Atmospheric
