Most Woody Allen fans show their admiration by flocking to his movies. Unabashed Woody Allen devotee Sophie Lellouche has made a movie celebrating her passion for the film maker and called it PARIS MANHATTAN (M).

In this frothy frappe, a pharmacist follows the philosophies of her favourite filmmaker in her life choices to the extent of dispensing Woody Allen DVDs instead of pills and potions, a prescription that appears to be a panacea in the alleviation of many of her client’s ailments.

The pharmacist’s name is Alice, the title of a Woody Allen film, and is played by Alice Taglioni, a delightful dimpled dame who would not be out of place in a genuine Woody Allen movie.

Much like Woody’s character in Play It Again Sam who has inner conversations with Humphrey Bogart, Alice has internal conversations with Woody, about life, love, and Cole Porter.

Her concerned parents, beautifully played by Michel Aumont and Marie Christine Adam, want to see her settled like her sister, with her father desperately trying to match make with a security systems technician played by Patrick Bruel.

PARIS MANHATTAN almost works as a placebo to a real Woody Allen movie, its effect aided enormously by the presence of Woody Allen who shows what a good sport he is by appearing in this unashamed homage.

Writer/director Sophie Lellouche has stated that she is a late starter in making movies because of her lack of self-confidence, so impressed by her role models that the idea of writing a story worthy seemed impossible. While PARIS MANHATTAN does not attain the sublime heights of most Woody Allen projects, its aspiration and application deserves to be applauded and the film deserves to be seen.

© Richard Cotter

13th December, 2012

Tags: Sydney Movie Reviews- PARIS MANHATTAN, Sydney Arts Guide, Richard Cotter