MANHATTAN

Woody Allen hated MANHATTAN when he first saw his finished film. He begged United Artists not to release it. It's a good thing they didn't listen because it just might be the best film the 50-plus year film veteran ever made. Filmed in beautiful black and white and filled with the unforgettable music of George Gershwin, Allen's film plays, as one would expect, as a love letter to the vibrant city he use to call home. A lot was expected out of Allen after critics and audiences fell head over heels for ANNIE HALL just two years prior and most would argue, Allen excluded, that he didn't dissapoint.

Allen, Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, and Mariel Hemingway make up the film's impressive acting ensemble that delivers great performances across the board. And cinematographer Gordon Willis shoots New York so assuredly the city becomes a lively character in itself.

Younger audiences are now being introduced to Allen during a revival in his career, capped off most recently with last year's wonderful MIDNIGHT IN PARIS. Hopefully that will cause them to go back to the films he made during the apex of his career and I can't think of a better way to start than with MANHATTAN, his most accomplished effort as writer, director, and actor.

At each screening you could win tickets to Manhattan Stories, improv inspired by Woody Allen, presented by The Hideout Theatre every Saturday at 8pm in July and August!