Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
92%RT Audience Score: 91%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 3 Oscars
16 wins & 26 nominations total
Woody Allen’s Crimes and Misdemeanors is a masterful exploration of morality, existentialism, and the human condition. With a deft hand, Allen weaves together two seemingly disparate storylines, one comedic and one tragic, to create a cohesive and thought-provoking narrative. The film’s examination of the nature of good and evil is both nuanced and unflinching, leaving the audience to grapple with the uncomfortable truth that sometimes, the bad guys do win. Despite its weighty subject matter, Crimes and Misdemeanors is also a testament to Allen’s comedic genius, with witty one-liners and hilarious satire peppered throughout. This film is a true work of art, and a must-see for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the human experience.
Woody Allen’s Crimes and Misdemeanors is like a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but instead of loops and drops, it’s a mix of comedy and drama. It’s like watching two different movies at the same time, but somehow they blend together perfectly. The film explores deep moral questions while still managing to make you laugh out loud. It’s like a philosophical debate with a punchline. And let’s not forget the incredible acting, especially from Martin Landau who brings a level of seriousness to the film that is truly captivating. Overall, Crimes and Misdemeanors is a must-watch for anyone who wants to laugh, cry, and question their own morality all in one sitting.
Production Company(ies)
Hand Made Films, Python Pictures,
Distributor
Orion Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
PG-13
Year of Release
1989
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 44m
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Language(s):English, Hebrew
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 13, 1989 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 5, 2001
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Martin Landau, Jerry Orbach, Anjelica Huston, Claire Bloom, Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Alan Alda, Sam Waterston, directed by Woody Allen, written by Woody Allen, produced by Robert Greenhut, Comedy, Drama, PG-13, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Henry Sheehan, David Robinson, Derek Malcolm, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Woody Allen, Variety Staff, Geoff Andrew, Rene Jordan, Brian Eggert, Victor Pineyro, Mike Massie, Hilary Mantel, Martin Landau as Judah Rosenthal, Woody Allen as Cliff Stern, Mia Farrow as Halley Reed, Anjelica Huston as Dolores Paley, Sam Waterston as Ben, Alan Alda as Lester, Robert Greenhut as producer, Orion Pictures as distributor, Mono sound mix, 35mm aspect ratio
Worldwide gross: $18,254,702
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $44,482,547
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,391
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 4,850,877
US/Canada gross: $18,254,702
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $44,482,547
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,127
US/Canada opening weekend: $911,385
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $2,220,837
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,192
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $19,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $46,298,668
Production budget ranking: 848
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $24,931,833
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$26,747,954
ROI to date (est.): -38%
ROI ranking: 1,609
Woody Allen – Cliff Stern
Mia Farrow – Halley Reed
Alan Alda – Lester
Anjelica Huston – Dolores Paley
Sam Waterston – Ben
Director(s)
Woody Allen
Writer(s)
Woody Allen
Producer(s)
Robert Greenhut
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 3 Oscars
16 wins & 26 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (51) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (47) | Rotten (4)
As a tragedian, Allen is still stuck in some sort of high school classroom, cribbing the form, but never the substance, of vaunted classics.
May 11, 2022 | Rating: 1/4
Henry Sheehan
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Woody Alton’s films alternate between the comic, in which he himself stars, and the serious and even solemn, which he does not Crimes and Misdemeanors successfully combines both styles.
June 23, 2020
David Robinson
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
It is both a civilised comedy with iron in its soul and a serious examination of our inner fears that also manages to be very funny.
March 20, 2018
Derek Malcolm
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The overall ‘philosophical’ thrust — that good guys finish last and that crime does pay — is designed to make the audience feel very wise, but none of the characters or ideas is allowed to develop beyond its cardboard profile.
February 12, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
The structural and stylistic conceit is that when Landau is onscreen, the film is dead serious, even solemn, while Allen’s own appearance onscreen signals hilarious satire and priceless one-liners.
February 12, 2008
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Dramatically, the film seldom fulfils its promise, and its pessimistic ‘moral’ — that good and evil do not always meet with their just deserts — looks contrived and hollow. Intriguing and patchily effective, nevertheless.
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
There’s a lot to laugh about…buts it’s a defense mechanism against the demolishing pessimism. [Full review in Spanish]
June 29, 2022
Rene Jordan
El Nuevo Herald (Miami)
Woody Allen has not made a Hollywood movie; he has made an important work of art that raises existential and moral questions.
March 2, 2022 | Rating: 4/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Woody Allen’s writing hypnotizes me, it’s no secret that he’s a much better writer than director. This film has incredible reaction acting. [Full review in Spanish]
February 11, 2021 | Rating: 8/10
Victor Pineyro
Seventh Art Studio
At times the movie observes, patiently, the characters and their predicaments, seemingly going nowhere.
August 31, 2020 | Rating: 6/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
The film’s entertainment value outweighs its irritations.
April 11, 2019
Hilary Mantel
The Spectator
Among other comedians and gag writers, Woody Allen is known as the master craftsman — the Albrecht Durer of neurotic urban jokes.
April 23, 2018
Jeff Simon
Buffalo News…
Plot
Judah Rosenthal is an ophthalmologist and a pillar of the community who has a big problem: his mistress Dolores Paley has told him that he is to leave his wife and marry her – as he had promised to do – or she will tell everyone of their affair. When he intercepts a letter Dolores has written to his wife Miriam, he is frantic. He confesses all to his shady brother Jack who assures him that he has friends who can take care of her. Meanwhile, filmmaker Cliff Stern is having his own problems. He’s been working on a documentary film for some time but has yet to complete it. He and his wife Wendy have long ago stopped loving one another and are clearly on their way to divorce. He falls in love with Halley Reed who works with a producer, Lester. Cliff soon finds himself making a documentary about Lester and hates every minute of it.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Woody Allen both stars in and directs Crimes and Misdemeanors.
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