Manhattan (1979)
Director: Woody Allen
Writers: Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman
Manhattan is often regarded as Woody Allen’s best work. It is a romantic comedy, but the real love interest in this film is the city of New York. Woody Allen is a filmmaker for filmmakers and “Manhattan” offers endless material for study and critique. I will describe 2-3 elements of craft from the movie and how they support the content of the film.
Gershwin and the New York Philharmonic provided all of the music for this film. This distinctly NY soundtrack made the film feel classic. Yes, “Manhattan” was shot in black and white, but the music makes a more powerful contribution to the story. Gershwin is a classic New York composer and the jazz in “Rhapsody in Blue” always associates with the city. The music’s character and it’s voice throughout the film pays tribute to the City.
Let’s get back to the black and white cinematography of “Manhattan.” This simplified a lot of the craft of this film, letting the camera work and beautifully composed shots stand out. I am reminded of one particular scene where Tracy gives Isaac a harmonica in the diner. This shot stays unbroken for minutes, and Tracy’s heart gets broken. I think you could take a still from this scene, hang it on the wall and see many themes of the film. You have got a classic diner with the guy working behind the counter, a sincere gesture from Tracy, and the unfortunate character of Isaac all captured with simple techniques and craft from the camera.
No one can attract talent like Woody. The interaction between the performers (Woody Allen, Dianne Keaton, Mariel Hemingway, Meryl Streep, and even Wallace Shawn) were so good it was like watching improv. This story was intended to paint a picture of what people and New York were like in 1979. The performances achieved their intention; but the best cast character in the film was the 59th street bridge. It’s the iconic scene where Isaac and Mary watch the sunrise. The bridge towers over them and stands as a powerful symbol of connection that portrays New York.
These elements of craft: music, cinematography, and casting had strong balance contributing to the story, themes, and ideas in the film. Manhattan is an example of classic filmmaking. The techniques and craft are simple but expertly executed; allowing the real content to shine through. Watch this film again when you get the chance.
Diner and Harmonica Scene
