Touted as a return to form for Woody Allen's film making prowess "Melinda and Melinda" is an analytical take on the two sides to every coin analogy. In this case we take a look at the story of Melinda a flustered middle-aged woman who has turned up in New York at an old school friend's house under a cloud. From one side we view the unfolding events as a tragedy from the other we it appears as a comedy.
The opening scene of Allen's film is set in a restaurant where two couples are discussing whether life is on the whole tragic or comic. The main protagonists see things from a slightly different point of view. At this point the tale unfolds before us on the screen, seen from each side of the fence. In each case Melinda is played by Rahda Mitchell, fortunately for the viewer confusion between which version of the tale is being told is reduced by two distinct ploys from Allen. Firstly, Melinda's hairstyle is radically different for the different versions, and also the supporting cast differs - certain similarities do exist in context and plot.
Whether this is a return to form or not is debatable, the film itself is enjoyable. The acting is, as usual, quite fine with Woody Allen presumably giving actors his usual freedom. Production wise the film is mostly well made but there are quite a few technical issues mainly involving the machinery of film making being visible on the screen. Obviously Allen has been turning out almost a film a year, and this is quite a feat possibly necessitating a reduction in perfectionism. As Allen himself has said, he makes a film, once he's happy with it he puts it out then does not read reviews and even will go as far as not to watch the film again! One way or another he will leave a massive legacy of films behind him.
Ultimately the film is not overly involving, which is not a problem in itself, and the main conclusion it draws is that there are often elements of comedy in a tragic story and likewise elements of tragedy in a comic story. I can see his point, I found rather more comedy in the tragic scenes of the film than others in the audience, which could be put down to my weird view of life itself.
***1/2 (out of 5)
