Rent Melinda and Melinda (2004)

One Melinda too many... - Melinda and Melinda review by CP Customer

Don't let Woody Allen's name confuse you into thinking that Melinda and Melinda will be outrageously witty or even funny. The premise is simple and effective, the story of Melinda is told in two different ways, one light hearted, the other heavy hearted. The latter representation lacks drama and although the actors involved are of the highest caliber, it is less than gripping. The 'funny' story is much more entertaining with much of the laughs coming from Will Ferrel doing his besy Woody Allen impression. It only amounts to being an amicable romantic comedy at the best of times. The films as a whole is watachable, if only once, and the premise itself almost inspores the viewer to consider how they look at the world. Very average comedy drama, Woody Allen is not at his best.

Schematic comedy/drama. - Melinda and Melinda review by Steve

Slender, schematic exercise from Woody Allen which conveys an interesting idea that never quite comes to life. It was written for Winona Ryder, but she couldn't be insured following her recent shoplifting conviction. Maybe this diversion would have been bolstered by a little star charisma.

A group of friends in a restaurant are told a tale from life, and the pair of writers among them reinterpret this narrative in the styles of comedy and tragedy. The director then cuts the stories together until they are difficult to separate, which is probably the point of the enterprise.

The two plots have different casts apart from Radha Mitchell who plays both Melindas. She leaves her husband, suffers a mental collapse and then turns up unannounced to friends in New York, disturbing in turn the orbit of their comfortable lives in two different ways.

It's a technical experiment. But it is short of the inspiration and wit that Woody usually imparts so reliably. And none of the familiar cast is able to elevate the script. It's by no means a waste of time, and it has its advocates, but- for me- it's the least of his films since Everyone Says I Love You.

Left in the void by this one - Melinda and Melinda review by Cato

I'm afraid I didn't really fall for this one, finding all the shenanigans of a collection of fairly young and spoilt New Yorkites a bit difficult to work out. But my wife really liked it. 5 stars from her!