CibbuanoThe Purple Rose of Cairo
July 8th 2007 23:03
Allen's then-romantic-interest Mia Farrow takes center stage as a Depression-era housewife whose miserable life is illuminated only by the time she spends at the cinema, watching The Purple Rose of Cairo endlessly, day after day.
Her love of the film prompts one of the characters onscreen to notice her in the audience and step out of the film, into reality. It's a bizarre jump that causes the viewer to suppress a mirthful chuckle as the fourth wall gets picked up and shattered with a heavy claw hammer. Check it out:
...wasn't that fun?
The Purple Rose of Cairo is one of Allen's favourites, as the final version is nearly exactly what he envisioned from the screenplay. As the plot grows increasingly twisted, the film pulls back from absurdity and becomes heartwarming, actually, infusing the picture with life. Farrow is at her best here... as the worn-out housewife, she plays her innocent beauty with grace, dancing the night away with her unreal protagonist.
Like most of Allen's other works, the film is loaded with his characteristic sepia tones, giving the entire production warmth and humanity. His portrait of the 1930s is vividly nostalgic, with diners and abandoned amusement parts, even as his characters feel nostalgia for the black-and-white movies showing an earlier period.
I read a comment that suggested that The Purple Rose of Cairo is a great film to show people that hate Woody Allen, either for 'his onscreen character or off-screen life'. I couldn't agree more... with the screen occupied with Farrow and the rest of the excellent cast, Allen focuses on keeping his story tight, merging comedy with a fanciful love story.
Just like Farrow's character, I could watch this film over again. Unfortunately, it doesn't play in the cinemas, except on Woody Allen nights at the Chauvel. It's a touching piece of filmmaking that should inspire other filmmakers to create something original... watching this, you can really appreciate how much fun it must be to make a movie that you want to make.
I say: Highly recommended, especially on the big screen, if you can find it.
See it for: Jeff Daniels, the guy known to me as Harry from Dumb and Dumber does a incredible job of playing his character - twice!
*this image is from the IMDb page on Mia Farrow
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Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Some highlights of the film come from the lack of knowledge about the real world.
"Where is the fade to black?" for the kissing sceen
Jumping into a car and not understanding why playing with steering doesn't make it drive.
Note no Woody to be seen.
Comment by Cibbuano
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I liked the scene in the brothel as well...!
Comment by Winston
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Comment by JohnDoe
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