Shadows And Fog Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

Was this meant to be a Bergman tribute?

I like Woody Allen, and I like Ingmar Bergman, but Woody trying to spoof Ingmar??? Didn't work for me - felt sorry for John Malkovitch having to deliver lines as bad as that. Mia Farrow is a pill as usual and I have no idea what John Cusack was thinking of! 2 good things in it - the famous actresses as tarts and the well poisoning joke - otherwise (as its against my principles to bail out in the middle) I just couldn't help wishing it would end so I could go and do something more interesting.

The point of Woody's folly gets lost in the fog

It's hard to know what Woody Allen was trying to achieve with 'Shadows and Fog'. The script is so thin, the tone so unsure and a stellar cast so completely wasted, it seems this project was only of interest as a technical exercise for Allen.

Allen plays his usual neurotic self, here named Kleinman. He's awoken in the night by a group of vigilantes who are out to catch the killer who's stalking the streets. They insist he go out and play his part, but neglect to mention what part he's meant to play. He spends the night wandering the mist-laden streets, encountering some strange characters.

'Shadows and Fog' is an appopriate title, as that's exactly what you get. Allen and his regular cinematographer Carlo Di Palma create a gorgeous homage to the expressionist films of Murnau, Lang and Dreyer, while also spoofing the works of Kafka. But that's where any interest ends.

Allen has a number of different storylines running here, and he fails to develop any of them coherently or to any sort of point. The cast is large and varied but few of them get any discernable character to work with and Allen is through with most of them in two or three scenes.

Mia Farrow, John Cusack and John Malkovich our among those who get the better end of the deal, but the likes of Lily Tomlin, Donald Pleasance, Jodie Foster and Madonna are lumbered with blink-and-you'll-miss-it roles.

Allen films usually have something to recommend them, but in 'Shadows and Fog' there's really just the handsome cinematography and nothing else. It only runs for just over 80 minutes, but feels a lot longer. Allen has made a couple of bad films in his time, but seldom has he made one so tedious.

Brilliance!

Woody Allen does it again! A superb film. This was a very different film for Woody.

It was his first film which had a set entirely custom built.. of course, we are used to Woody pacing about the streets of Manhattan. The cinematography is brilliant, it really is all fog and shadows. Woody has never been giving credit for the artistry of his films, but this film is really noteworthy.

It has all the typical film noir/mystery trappings.. you'd be fooled for thinking this was made in the 1940's if it wasn't for Woody himself pacing around in his normal manic comedy persona. However, it works brilliantly- and the lines are as sharp and hilarious as ever.

Highly recommended. Mia Farrow is also excellent, but isn't she always?

When Woody Allen puts together an ensemble cast, there are no half measures. He also has a gift for writing parts for himself. It's an interesting piece, with the cast supporting him through the very Allenesque twists, turns and characterisations.

oh dear. Black and white film. Woody Allen in middle-aged man angst mode. A few killings in half darkness - never got to know the characters at all so didn't care who got murdered or who survived. A complete waste of time I am sorry to say and it is very rare for me to write such words in my reviews.

Wierd

A weird film , but still somehow watchable ?

Shadows & Fog

What a load of absolute crap. Had to turn DVD off after 15 terrible minutes, despite a good cast, this is awful.

Strong cast in search of a film

Amazing collection of actors getting together for a rather non descript going no where in particular film. Allens angst ridden nebbish character (that he does everytime) is thrown into another scenario with same yawn factor.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Shadows and Fog

Given the quality of the actors and director this was a disappointing film. Fun to spot the filmic references for a time but it felt as though everyone, including Allen himself, was going through the motions. A far cry from his heyday.

SHADOWS & FOG

WOULD BE LOVED BY FANS OF FILM NOIR.

NOT MY CUP OF TEA.........