Desertman84
Woody Allen stars in his latest picture that he also wrote and direct as Lenny, a New York sportswriter bored by his wife and attracted to a hooker that happens to be the mother-though she doesn't know it-of his adopted son in this film,Mighty Aphrodite.Together in the cast with Allen are Woody Allen,Mira Sorvino,Helena Bonham Carter,Michael Rapaport and F. Murray Abraham.Lenny is trapped in a bad marriage to high-strung art dealer Amanda, but he finds solace in his relationship with his adopted young son. Indeed, he grows so fond of the boy that he decides to track down the boy's real mother, expecting to discover a brilliant professional. Instead, he finds Linda, a ditzy prostitute and porno star who mingles casual vulgarity with disarming innocence. Despite his initial disillusionment, Lenny soon develops a fondness for Linda and decides to play matchmaker, setting her up with a handsome young boxer who is equally good-hearted and scatterbrained. While the contrast between the free-spirited Linda and the uptight Lenny provides the bulk of the laughs, hints of Allen's more literary humor are also present, particularly in the scenes involving a roaming Greek chorus commenting upon Lenny's fate.This is a surprisingly sweet and brilliant film with great performances particularly that from Mira Sorvino,who portrayed a bubble-headed hooker and porn star.It has a nice combination of smart comedy and some of wacky energy.It is a delight to watch.
David Traversa
Since I madly ADORE Woody Allen films, it will be considered very biased and redundant of me to write a review for this film and fill it up with eulogies no end.But even so, after so many reviews, much earlier than mine (I just saw this film, having missed it I don't know why) and also much better than mine, I still want to say that I loved it, although I found it a rehash of some previous films of his, but the charm is there, New York is there, his characters are always meaty and in this case, Mira Sorvino creates a Tsunami of sorts with her 'Linda Ash' impersonation, as forceful a creation as the one given by Giulietta Massina, that unforgettable 'Gelsomina', for "La Strada", that Fellini masterpiece of yesteryear.To me, her interpretation is worth a TEN stars (not the film though)I didn't care much for the Greek Chorus... Could I have been prejudiced by the raggedy look of their costumes? they seemed to have been made with dirty dishcloths while the performers were waiting for them to be put together by rushed and long-suffering seamstresses, seating on those steps (here one seats and seats...) where they performed their musical numbers.If you saw a prehistoric movie: "Down to Earth" (1940s) with Rita Hayworth, the Choruses costumes were... HEAVENLY! These ones looked out of "The Planet of the Apes", Yuk!But in general it's a fun movie to watch.
Hitchcoc
This is a very enjoyable film that takes its premises from Greek tragedy; that is to say, the gods are really in charge. They are the apotheosis of happenstance. The mixture of good intentions and fundamental humanity are portrayed here. We all want the best as does Woody's character. Mara Sorvino proved to be quite a wonderful choice for the seemingly scatterbrained, but very wise other woman. The chorus is hilarious with its askance a commentary. It all plays out, and without giving anything away, manages to trick the mere mortals. Woody's sense of humor is at work all along as he gives up himself in the presence of a strong woman. Not a major film, but well worth seeing.
JoeKarlosi
Woody Allen and his latest younger wife (this time played by stick of chalk Helena Bonham Carter) decide to adopt a newborn baby boy. As the child grows Woody becomes curious to find out who the real mother is and eventually tracks her down as a scatterbrained hooker and porn star (Mira Sorvino). I've tried watching this several times now and its got some laughs and charm, but it's still not amongst Allen's better comedies for me. I think Sorvino's prostitute character is initially ingratiating when she appears on the scene, but her schtick wears thin quickly. This obviously put-on performance was unworthy of the Oscar she received. And once Woody discovers her there's not much else of interest that can be done with the story. But the biggest turn-off of all is the damn cringe-worthy Greek chorus which pops up every so often to chant and sing the narration of what's transpiring in the movie, with F. Murray Abraham as the painted leader who visits Allen from time to time to counsel him, a la Bogart in PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM. Utterly unnecessary. **1/2 out of ****
AD
