SPOILERS Is life a comedy or a tragedy? Arguably it seems more like a farce, but the notion of comedy versus tragedy is a brilliant one. Raising questions about the way we view the world, and whether we should be optimistic or pessimistic, Woody Allen's "Melinda and Melinda" is a clever piece of cinema. Based around two different slants on the same woman, the film splits itself between a half average drama and a brilliant comedy tale. Both parts are equally necessary to complete the film, but more often than not the dramatic lets the side down.
On a night out, a group of friends sit and ponder life. Two of the four are writers and when a story is raised, both view the story from different slants. Taking the story of Melinda (Radha Mitchell), the two men tell their tale either with a comedy twist or as a dramatic piece. The outcome is two stories with an unusual slant on life.
As far as Woody Allen pieces go, "Melinda and Melinda" is sadly only mediocre. Whilst it's difficult personally to actually think of a bad Allen work, this 2004 offering falls way short of older stories like "Sleeper" and more recent tales like "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion". Still, it has it's moments.
In terms of the comedy, Woody Allen is once again hitting top marks. Led by Will Ferrell in the Allen role, the story feels fresh and entertaining and is in possession of all the best lines. Radical and off the cuff, Ferrell thrives in his role, and aided by Steve Carell as his closest friend, Ferrell and Radha Mitchell both dominate the screen.
Unlike the comedy section of "Melinda Melinda" the drama is incredibly average. Whilst Mitchell puts in a much darker performance as this emotionally frail version of Melinda, her supporting cast lets her down. Jonny Lee Miller, Chloe Sevigny, Chiwetel Ejiofor, all the support manage to make it look like they're trying without actually producing anything of substance. It's a disappointment, but ultimately not a massive surprise considering that Allen is never at his best when dramatic.
It's such a mammoth difference between the two sides of the story, that it's often difficult to know what to think. The story in itself is a remarkably clever idea, but because Woody Allen is always at his finest when dealing with humour, the dramatic part fails. It's a shame really that the film couldn't have been a joint effort, but then it just wouldn't be an Allen film.
Good when funny, mediocre when not, "Melinda and Melinda" is a strange film. Taking a brilliant idea of attitude to life, the film does have promise. It's just a shame that the dramatic side of things is so unimpressive. Still, with Will Ferrell in the Allen role in the comedy, there's definitely something to keep your eye out for.
On a night out, a group of friends sit and ponder life. Two of the four are writers and when a story is raised, both view the story from different slants. Taking the story of Melinda (Radha Mitchell), the two men tell their tale either with a comedy twist or as a dramatic piece. The outcome is two stories with an unusual slant on life.
As far as Woody Allen pieces go, "Melinda and Melinda" is sadly only mediocre. Whilst it's difficult personally to actually think of a bad Allen work, this 2004 offering falls way short of older stories like "Sleeper" and more recent tales like "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion". Still, it has it's moments.
In terms of the comedy, Woody Allen is once again hitting top marks. Led by Will Ferrell in the Allen role, the story feels fresh and entertaining and is in possession of all the best lines. Radical and off the cuff, Ferrell thrives in his role, and aided by Steve Carell as his closest friend, Ferrell and Radha Mitchell both dominate the screen.
Unlike the comedy section of "Melinda Melinda" the drama is incredibly average. Whilst Mitchell puts in a much darker performance as this emotionally frail version of Melinda, her supporting cast lets her down. Jonny Lee Miller, Chloe Sevigny, Chiwetel Ejiofor, all the support manage to make it look like they're trying without actually producing anything of substance. It's a disappointment, but ultimately not a massive surprise considering that Allen is never at his best when dramatic.
It's such a mammoth difference between the two sides of the story, that it's often difficult to know what to think. The story in itself is a remarkably clever idea, but because Woody Allen is always at his finest when dealing with humour, the dramatic part fails. It's a shame really that the film couldn't have been a joint effort, but then it just wouldn't be an Allen film.
Good when funny, mediocre when not, "Melinda and Melinda" is a strange film. Taking a brilliant idea of attitude to life, the film does have promise. It's just a shame that the dramatic side of things is so unimpressive. Still, with Will Ferrell in the Allen role in the comedy, there's definitely something to keep your eye out for.