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Hannah and Her Sisters Reviews

Apr 19, 2025

A very nice way to study human relationships, music and even religion. Allen has the advantage of an excellent cast and superb cinematography. Superb!

Apr 12, 2025

Woody Allen once again showing his aplomb for writing personable and relatable characters, Hannah and Her Sisters is a wryly engaging family dramedy.

Mar 4, 2025

The comedy/drama style Woody Allen pioneered with “Annie Hall” and “Manhattan” is finally balanced and perfected in this film. The best he ever did with his trademark style.

Jan 11, 2025

A comedy sometime funny, but with a too complicated plot.

Dec 1, 2024

They don't make films like this that are true character studies anymore. If I have any criticisms of the script, it's that there's no backstory on the Michael Cain character, Elliot. Cain is a fine actor but we're left with no explanation as to how a guy with a Cockney accent became a NY financial expert, or how Hannah met and married him. Likewise there's the insufferable older mentor character from Europe with whom Lee [Barbara Hershey] is shacked up. The audience has to apply some suspension of disbelief on those two, just as we must with Woody's usual display of neuroses. The film is beautifully shot using NYC streets as backdrops and the classy NY apartments look genuine rather than sets so the camera work had to be awfully tight for those scenes which is a credit to the director and cinematographer. Hard to imagine that I actually saw this movie in "real time" at a theatre when it came out. It was a different world four decades ago as evidenced by the characters' frequent use of pay phones, etc. which have gone the way of the dinosaur.

Nov 28, 2024

One of Allen's most emotionally satisfying movies, probably because he embraces the romantic comedy angle while maintaining a certain air of melancholy.

Jul 27, 2024

Did not expect to enjoy it this much. Now, I know all the hype for Allen movies. I get it. He has a unique way of understanding people. Hope this new generation enjoys his movies.

Jun 6, 2024

Only ever a marginal fan of Woody Allen, this one breaks the rule. Smart, witty, adult themes and a great examination of relationships. The key is the perfect pacing and stellar acting. It’s a great cast, it’s brilliantly written and directed. To my mind this is Allen’s masterpiece. Watched on DVD.

Feb 24, 2024

All Time Classic. It's amazing how with such an esemble of characters none of them blend in at all and keeps things simple. It moves very effortlessly between each characters dramas and really nails it when it wants to be funny with the trademark fast talking sleek Allen style of humor. It also has a low key happy ending as well. It's excellently made all around. Even the classical music is catchy and memorable to it. A sharp script that balances humor and drama perfectly. Everyone should give this a try.

Jan 11, 2024

Um filme que me pegou do inicio ao fim, com ótimos diálogos o tempo todo, trata bem o existencialismo, as nossas aflições e de alguma forma mirabolante, termina com um final "feliz". O longa traz também ótimas referências de poetas e escritores. Lembra muito o diálogo dos filmes do Buñuel e do Bergman. Um filme sútil, porém profundo, que nos faz refletir bem sobre o que é à "vida".

Dec 11, 2023

A little chaotic and a lot of character arcs to follow. However, there are a bunch of fun moments to reward the audience's patience. Good energy and movement in the scenes.

Nov 26, 2023

Once again, Woody Allen resorts to his favorite topics without repeating himself: religion, psychoanalysis and Groucho Marx. On this occasion the core of the story is marriage; supported by an inimitable cast.

Nov 11, 2023

"Hannah and Her Sisters" is a delightful rollercoaster of emotions woven into an engaging narrative. Woody Allen's masterful storytelling takes us on a journey through the tangled lives of three sisters, each facing their unique struggles and desires. The characters are portrayed with depth and wit, drawing you into their world effortlessly. The film's charm lies in its witty humor, heartwarming moments, and unexpected twists. Allen's signature blend of comedy and drama keeps you hooked from start to finish. The ensemble cast delivers stellar performances, especially Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest, and Barbara Hershey, whose chemistry and rapport are a true highlight. While the film captures the complexities of human relationships, some subplots lack the same depth, leaving a few loose ends untied. Nonetheless, "Hannah and Her Sisters" remains an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience, exploring the intricacies of love, family, and the pursuit of happiness. A must-watch for fans of Woody Allen's unique storytelling style.

Aug 24, 2023

Hannah and Her Sisters was made at the height of Allen's popularity, and showed a director fully confident with his abilities. Perhaps thanks to the studio's insistence on a happy ending, it was one of Allen's most successful movies at the box office, and garnered three Oscars. The appeal of the film is easy to see. Influenced by Tolstoy and Chekhov, Allen tells the story of three sisters, their love lives and misadventures over a period of time that is topped and tailed by a Thanksgiving dinner. Scenes are divided with captions taken from the dialogue. An atmosphere of warmth is established with the use of jazz music, and some dignity and gravitas is added by the use of classical music too. As the title suggests, the lynchpin of the action is Hannah (Mia Farrow). She provides support, money and advice to help her two sisters who lack her poise and strength. Her sister Lee (Barbara Hershey) is in a stultifying relationship with the cold and intellectual artist, Frederick (Max von Sydow). To complicate matters further, Hannah's husband Elliot (Michael Caine) is besotted with Lee, and unable to stop thinking about her. He lends her books and talks about culture with her, but his attraction seems to be purely physical, and based on lust. There are problematic aspects to Woody Allen's films, but we do not have to share Allen's ideas to enjoy Hannah and Her Sisters. It is funny, sad and warm, and offers great variety of incident and characterisation. It is justly regarded as one of his best works. I wrote a blog article expressing a fuller appreciation of Hannah and her Sisters if you would like to read more: https://themoviescreenscene.wordpress.com/2018/05/19/hannah-and-her-sisters-1986/

Jun 19, 2023

As I said that I haven't seen any of Woody Allen films apart from Hannah and Her Sisters which is what I'm doing right now. In this one, it has some good cast, like Woody Allen himself, Michael Caine, Mia Farrow, Carrie Fisher, Barbara Hershey and Dianne Wiest. I actually thought this is going to be funny and, yeah, I'm right and I think it's more drama than comedy. It's a love story or love stories to be exact. It's just so brilliant that I have no idea what I love about it. Yeah, sure, with Dianne Wiest won an Oscar for her role and Michael Caine won an Oscar but couldn't accept it because he was working on filming that piece of s!£t movie, Jaws: The Revenge. Oh, my God! Oh, my f£$king God! Brilliant performance's by Dianne Wiest and Michael Caine. Yeah, surely everybody loves Dianne Wiest as an actress and she stars in The Lost Boys. Woody Allen plays Mickey who is depressed and has suffered from an hearing loss and has a brain tumor. So Mickey is narrating himself complaining about a spot in his back which includes brain tumor and his hearing loss thinking that he was going to kill himself. Michael Caine plays Elliot who madly in love with Hannah's sister and while he is still married to Hannah. No matter what I think, it's an treat for all of people in the world. Of course, the story is well written so is the directing by Woody Allen. I'm sure that you can't get over that Michael Caine didn't accept an award to star in Jaws: The Revenge.

May 17, 2023

I love each sister, their unique qualities and how they all came together. I love the feel of New York city as the scenic and intellectual backdrop in which this tender story unfolds.

Feb 12, 2023

Is Hannah and Her Sisters Woody Allen's best film? Possibly. In it, Allen covers his standard themes – existential angst, fractured relationships, the existence of God, and mortality, among others. It is a movie filled with interesting and fully realized characters. The cast, more expansive than usual, is filled with great actors, including the likes of Michael Caine, Mia Farrow, Diane Wiest, Carrie Fisher, and Max von Sydow. Allen, always a great writer, is in top form, creating situations that are both poignant and hilarious, full of clever insights and thought-provoking ideas. Allen's oeuvre is considerable and if Hannah and Her Sisters doesn't sit at the top, it's pretty darn close.

Jan 24, 2023

I thought this film was excellent. I actually wonder how much of this parallels the directors personal life at the time? The writing was superb with really original and exciting ideas. I watched this on a date and it is a great date film. Recommend.

Dec 4, 2022

One of Woody Allen's finest, thanks to a superb cast and smart direction, balancing the humor and drama. The actors are all at their best, with Michael Caine and Dianne Wiest both giving standout, Oscar worthy performances while even Woody Allen balances his standard neurotic one. Behind the camera, Woody Allen crafts a funny but also heartbreaking film about how three sisters and their families navigate love in their various relationships, all while bookended during three different Thanksgiving diners (thus making an appropriate holiday movie). Great watch during Turkey season.

Nov 26, 2022

A rather enjoyable story about what people really need in life.

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