"Cafe Society" Review

Title: Cafe Society

Directed by: Woody Allen

Written by: Woody Allen

Year: 2016


The fact that Woody Allen is still making motion pictures is unbelievable. This classic filmmaker is still directing movies that carry the air of old Hollywood, and Cafe Society seems to be an ideal representation of his style. Will this latest movie of his be remembered as one of his best, or does it lack class and conviction?

A poor boy from New York moves to Los Angeles seeking the aid of his famous and wealthy uncle. Hoping to find work in the Hollywood indsutry, he instead finds love. But can he handle the ups and downs of the 1930s L.A. lifestyle?

Allen has brought together an all-star cast for his latest picture. Jesse Eisenberg is magnificent as Bobby Dorfman, the lead character. His quaint and timid demeanor in the first half of the movie is typical of Eisenberg, but he is very good at it. Later on in the film, his performance alters to one of more confidence, and he nails this as well. Steve Carell seems like an odd choice for this type of film, but he actually works very well with the material. He embodies the vicious and high energy attitude of a Hollywood talent agent.

Kristen Stewart is slowly washing away the stench of the Twilight saga with each role she takes on. She does a fine job in this film, having great interactions with both Eisenberg and Carell. Corey Stoll, though he has a smaller role, is one of the most entertaining characters in the movie, playing a New York gangster to hilarious avail. Stephen Kunken is very enjoyable, and Ken Stott and Jeanie Berlin are a riot. Blake Lively does not have much to do, but she plays her role well.

The story of a young New Yorker getting wrapped-up in the busy Hollywood life is incredibly engaging. Bobby Dorfman has no idea what he is doing, which makes us sympathize with him. This is highlighted in a hysterical scene involving a call girl. He is a perfect juxtaposition of his uncle Phil, who is on top of everything. But after meeting Stewart's character, Vonnie, and getting a job with his uncle, Bobby begins to grow and develop. The way he gradually comes into his own and learns the ins and outs of the business is engrossing.

Also engaging is his romantic life with Vonnie. These two characters hit it off almost immediately and their growing relationship feels organic and believable. The romance between Bobby and Vonnie is what the film essentially revolves around, and it works very well. This is especially true when the romance evolves and changes as the film goes on. The story continuously alters, placing the characters in many different situations, with accompanying conflicts following. The movie also manages to juggle multiple interesting sub-plots successfully.

However, the real star of this picture is the aesthetics. The production values for this film are bewilderingly high quality. The movie instantly draws you in with its 1930s atmosphere and decor. Allen brings this era to life, showing a love and respect for this time period. The costumes, backgrounds and settings, tints, and writing all culminate to generate a lovely interactive time capsule of this decade. Cafe Society examines the high-class life of Los Angeles as well as that of New York triumphantly. This is a vivid and visceral experience; one that grabs hold of the audience and does not let go until the end credits roll.

In addition, the music is outstanding. The upbeat tunes and jazzy compositions perfectly capture the essence of the era. You may find yourself tapping your foot because the music is awfully catchy, evoking the spirit of the 1930s. The soundtrack is simply spectacular. The songs chosen are magnificent and fitting. Ranging from soothing to jiving, and graceful to bombastic, the music featured in Cafe Society will transport you to another time.

This picture manages to balance romance, drama, and comedy marvelously well. Most of this comes down to Allen's scriptwriting. The dialogue he has concocted is fresh, yet appropriate for the time period. His word choice is crisp and he knows when to engage the audience, and when to make them laugh. Speaking of laughing, though this is not a straight-up comedy, Cafe Society hosts a bevy of good jokes. A lot of the humor pokes fun at Jews, but that is typical for a Woody Allen script. There are several moments that will have you in stitches (usually involving Stoll's character) and the scene with the call girl is comedic gold.

As far as issues go, I have but two with this picture. The first is very minor. Cafe Society is given a sepia-like tint to better display the 1930s. It looks as if the film were placed in an oven and baked to a soft brown tone. However, there are a few moments where the movie is overwhelmingly sun drenched, with the majority of the frame being a light brown. This can be distracting. My other issue is the focus of the narrative. For the most part, the script is tightly written and the movie is well edited. But during the third act, some of the sub-plots get in the way of the main story. These scenes do not feel out of place, but rather misplaced. If some of the sequences were rearranged, the film could have actually been a little better.

I did not know what to expect walking into this film. But I can now say that Cafe Society is one of the best movies of the year. Though it might not be for everyone, this picture is well crafted and boasts plenty of love for a bygone era. The star-studded cast is solid; the story is enthralling; the visuals and music are to die for; and the experience is unparalleled. Cafe Society actually contains a lot of what I thought was missing from Hail, Caesar!, and I really enjoyed that movie. This is a rare gem in a summer filled with many disappointing, high-profile blockbusters.

Grade: A