Interiors

Release Year: 1978
Review: Woody Allen's first completely dramatic film, about the struggles of a family coping with a controlling mother who is going through a mental breakdown. Allen takes a decidedly different tone than in any of his previous work. Gone is the familiar silliness and playfulness that viewers of Allen's work are accustomed to, replaced by a very frigid, somber, and unabashedly serious film. The writing is crisp, and Allen's wit and philosophy shine through, but there is very little to laugh at. The lack of humor is not a problem, but the sheer bleakness and steady onslaught of emotion filled tirades are a bit draining and I feel some of the meaning is lost in this almost over calculated and sterile drama. The movie is, however, wonderfully acted, and paired with Allen's talent with dialog, individual scenes are profound and work perfectly in isolation. As a whole, I felt as though Allen was trying too hard to make a purely dramatic film and it suffered for it.
Rating: 3/5