Manhattan

On screen, the people and the city of New York witness the crazy drama....In retrospect, even those days of hardship and scarcity look good to Allen -....if you could call Allen's characters ordinary.....The privileged characters, celebrating on rooftops, are hardly distinguishable from the bright lights of Broadway.....His films had fared poorly in his hometown, and with American audiences generally.... ... Full Review

the two of them establish an excellent chemistry and validity.....his visuals-adroitly embraced and recorded by Gordon Willis in an elegant and indulgent b&w stock.... ... Full Review

Indeed many critics would argue this is still his best film. Despite being based on little more than a soap opera plotline, this hugely inventive film managed to be simultaneously funny, poignant, and sad. ... Full Review

Oddly, this film is both absolutely amazing and weirdly unfulfiling.....Manhattan" is always interesting, especially the affair with the 17 year old (pure Woody, that).....Through gorgeous black & white photography and an enchanting Gershwin score, he turns the rather gritty New York into an incredibly romantic city.....Some moments are amusing, but overall, the film is surprisingly serious.....The film opens with Rhapsody in Blue on gorgeous shots of Manhattan scenery.... ... Full Review

I doubt this movie will ever lose its relevance. Woody Allen is one of those filmmakers who seems to inspire either rabid loyalty or blind hatred, but rarely indifference. ... Full Review

Like the earlier Martin-scripted film, Roxanne, this is a very gentle film..... ... Full Review

And if the slightly creaky self-consciousness forestalls our absolute submission, the combination of wry moral observation and stinging wit still makes it a Woody Allen film worthy of its maker. ... Full Review

Manhattan contains the story of its older sibling: Allen plays a character (a 42-year-old named Isaac) who gets into a not-necessarily healthy relationship with Keaton's character (named Mary). The opening scene of this movie is one of the best opening scenes I have ever seen in a movie. ... Full Review

The real argument is whether Manhattan is a great film for its story and characters or for the beauty of seeing a city never looking so gorgeous, shot in lush black-and-white, with brilliant cinematography by Gordon Willis ( The Godfather , Annie Hall ). ... Full Review

I had forgotten what perfect pitch Woody Allen brought to ''Manhattan''--how its tone and timing slip so gracefully between comedy and romance. It is at the same time a breathtaking hymn to the idea of being in love in Manhattan, a place Allen loves. ... Full Review