Read Positive User Reviews for Café Society

9

BHBarryJul 16, 2016

"Café Society" represents 80 year old Woody Allen’s 47th film and, after a couple of recent merely "OK" submissions, his latest is a real winner. Written and directed by this talented octogenarian, Mr. Allen, as the film's narrator, tells a"Café Society" represents 80 year old Woody Allen’s 47th film and, after a couple of recent merely "OK" submissions, his latest is a real winner. Written and directed by this talented octogenarian, Mr. Allen, as the film's narrator, tells a tender and warm love story which stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart and Steve Carell in this effort by a young kid from the Bronx (Mr. Eisenberg) who comes to a 1930’s Los Angeles in search of a new career. Mr. Allen’s familiar jabs at Los Angeles and his obvious love of Manhattan all take prominence in this beautifully written, acted and photographed film. Mention must also be made of the wonderful soundtrack that supports each well directed scene so that the audience is captured by and brought into the genre and lifestyle appearing on the screen. This is a film that the viewer can just sit back, relax and enjoy with a story that is well told in words and pictures and, in no understatement, restores Mr. Allen to his rightful place as one of the great filmmakers of our time.. I give the film a 9.0 rating with a strong recommendation that it be seen by all who can find a way to get to any theater in which it may be playing.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

8

MattyiceJul 31, 2016

This film shows a reflective Allen with all his appreciable comedy and storytelling skills intact and on display. The film engages both the head and heart and should be seen by anyone looking for a thoughtful respite from the summer's carThis film shows a reflective Allen with all his appreciable comedy and storytelling skills intact and on display. The film engages both the head and heart and should be seen by anyone looking for a thoughtful respite from the summer's car chases, hyperactive aliens and gratuitous bloodstained mayhem.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

7

SpangleJul 30, 2016

Jesse Eisenberg is born to play the Woody Allen character in Woody Allen films. Neurotic, frantic, and deeply awkward, Eisenberg fits the role to a tee and plays it to perfection in Cafe Society. As with all of Allen's films, it explores theJesse Eisenberg is born to play the Woody Allen character in Woody Allen films. Neurotic, frantic, and deeply awkward, Eisenberg fits the role to a tee and plays it to perfection in Cafe Society. As with all of Allen's films, it explores the nature of love and philosophy, makes fun of those who philosophize, offers social commentary on Judaism, and rubs shoulders with the upper crust of society. As with most of his films, it is certainly laced with witty dialogue, fun characters, and great acting. Led by Eisenberg, he once more shows that he has terrific chemistry with Kristen Stewart. At this point, the duo is like the less attractive, less charismatic version of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone with the frequency of their collaborations. The rest of the cast is quite good as well, especially Steve Carell and Blake Lively. Additionally, the cinematography is phenomenal and gives the film this dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly captures the similarities (despite perceived differences) between Los Angeles and New York. As always, Woody Allen is still witty and great at creating realistic and touching romances, while blending in religion and social commentary. Though not rising to the quality of his best films, Cafe Society is a sweet, seductive, and charming little romantic comedy that may be a bit slight, but remains thoroughly entertaining.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

7

foxgroveSep 21, 2016

Woody Allen’s films are often either a hit or miss affair. Thankfully, Café Society can be considered a minor hit. In fact it is Allen’s best film since the excellent ‘Blue Jasmine’ three years ago. It can also be considered something of aWoody Allen’s films are often either a hit or miss affair. Thankfully, Café Society can be considered a minor hit. In fact it is Allen’s best film since the excellent ‘Blue Jasmine’ three years ago. It can also be considered something of a surprise in many ways. Jesse Eisenberg is really rather good playing a role that Allen would have allocated to himself a couple of decades ago, and a blossoming Kristen Stewart does herself no harm at all in adding this confident performance to her cv. The screenplay is also relatively funny. It may not be an all-out laugh fest, but it certainly encourages one to wear a smile throughout the running time. Visually the film is one of Allen’s most accomplished belying what is probably a fairly modest budget. Vittorio Storaro’s cinematography must be amongst the best of the year in its field. Ditto the gorgeous production design and dazzling costumes. All in all it is definitely a more enjoyable film to watch than you would expect based on the quality of Allen’s recent output.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

7

jrodfilmsAug 1, 2016

standard woody allen of his 2010 years. it actually feels a bit like irrational man, a story of romance, but with some dark themes hidden underneath it. the cinematography is amazing, and steve carrel isnt that annoying.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

8

rbbJul 30, 2016

A mid-level Woody Allen film is far better than 95% of other films in theaters. Creative script, great acting, directing, scenery, a pleasant and watchable story.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

10

NightReviewsAug 23, 2016

At eighty years young, Woody Allen delivers his forty-sixth (yup, you read that right) feature film with Café Society; a bourbon basked narrative feature showcasing the wonderfully vibrant jazz era of the 1930’s, where the magic of the moviesAt eighty years young, Woody Allen delivers his forty-sixth (yup, you read that right) feature film with Café Society; a bourbon basked narrative feature showcasing the wonderfully vibrant jazz era of the 1930’s, where the magic of the movies is very much alive; nightclubs are bustling with life, traces of the gangster underworld are closer than ever and love is a feeling as whimsical as ever in a parallel tale spanning from Hollywood to New York City.

After forty-six films, you would think, with a director and writer as aged as most of our grandparents, the dialogue and writer of such an iconic filmmaker would lose his touch, but Allen proves his newest feature is as fresh, fun and fantastic as could be. Self-aware and self-absorbed as ever, the auteur extraordinaire showcases some of his most subtle and subdued screenplay to date, focusing mostly on performance from his very young cast and indulging in the beauty of a lively era within the very social elite of Hollywood and New York City.

Like any good Allen film, the story follows a very unsure and adventurous young man by the name of Bobby Dorfman, played perfectly by the nerdy and always loveable Jesse Eisenberg. Bobby, who has chosen for a change of scenery from his native New York City life, decides to chance life on a whim, and join his highly successful and famed uncle Phil Stern (Steve Carell), a Hollywood agent and grande opportunist for a lavish life in Hollywood. Reluctant to really give his nephew a chance, Uncle Phil caves and leaves Bobby in the hands of his angelic and innocently beautiful secretary and assistant Vonnie, played elegantly by Kristen Stewart. Taken by her beauty at first site, Bobby and Vonnie begin experiencing the city of angels through the eyes of glamour and glitz, essentially discrediting the city and its inhabitants as a whole, and wishing for a life that is half Hollywood, and half urban paradise.

As the relationship between Vonnie and Bobby intensifies, despite Vonnie having a secretive relationship with another married man, the two share some of the most memorable meet-cute dates seen this year on screen.

The heart of Café Society relies heavily on the relationship and chemistry between Eisenberg and Stewart, who, luckily for audiences, have played love interests twice before in Adventureland and American Ultra. By now, while watching Café Society, one of the most frustrating elements of the film is why the two stars haven’t began dating outside of the narrative of the films they star in. Eisenberg’s quirk matched with the mysteriousness and nonchalant attitude of Stewart, make the two and quintessential non-Hollywood/Hollywood couple.

As life complicates itself, as all matters of the heart do, Bobby soon finds himself back in the big Apple, eventually succumbing to his big brother Ben (Corey Stoll) and managing a somewhat legitimate business in Le Tropical, a nightclub owned by Ben, among other very illegal and gangster business endeavours. Stoll, who dons a full head of hair as the fiery and ruthless gangster brother to Bobby, brings forth the charm and wit he did as Ernest Hemingway in Allen Midnight In Paris. An Allen alum, Stoll provides the film with some of its most expected comedy, yet is pitch-perfect as the tough guy older brother who knows no life other than the life of the streets.

Allen, who uses many of the same actors over in his films, Stoll twice, Eisenberg twice, Posey, Sirico and company, relies on his actors to deliver some of his most entertaining, fun and light-hearted material to date. Café Society is a fun, summerlicious filled romantic comedy with perfect instances of light-hearted dialogue and narrative that uses the beautiful jazz music as a mosaic of forbidden love and second chances.

While Café Society may not be the huge commercial success of other summer blockbuster films, the film is easily one of my favourite films of the year, delivering a true cinematically entrancing experience, much like Allen’s Midnight In Paris.

If there is one thing I would recommend this summer season, its to make sure to watch this film by any means necessary. Café Society proves again that, like many good comedies, most are written by sadistic comedy writers, and while Allen’s newest is far from sadistic, the film is an examined portrayal of an era of the golden days of cinema that brings back the golden, and leaves the rust behind. Sure, Allen can be completely self-absorbed with his films, making sure his unique cinematic voice is heard and quirkiness felt wholeheartedly, but, regardless of all that, I absolutely fell in love with this film. And while love is not rational, you fall, and lose control, which is the exact same feeling I had when leaving the cinema for this film.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

All this user's reviews

8

georgikAug 20, 2016

I loved this movie! Every detail was attended to that enabled you to be transformed back to 1930's Hollywood, as it certainly was. If boredom creeps into your movie watching, this one is for you! There is not a moment that somethingI loved this movie! Every detail was attended to that enabled you to be transformed back to 1930's Hollywood, as it certainly was. If boredom creeps into your movie watching, this one is for you! There is not a moment that something critical to the plot, is not unfolding. The acting is wonderful and well cast. The mood, lighting, architecture,dazzling period cars, music, and costuming is authentic and enticing. The movie creates a spell that catches you up in the splendor and realities of a time past, but also reflective of what still plagues the Hollywood life style. I'm amazed that Woody Allen is still churning out these highly entertaining movies that he writes and directs for the enjoyment of generations of his fans. It was an evening well spent!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

7

DirigiblePulpJan 31, 2017

A nice nostalgia trip. Gorgeous golden cinematography and subtle performances. It's a surprisingly dark movie, unsurprisingly melancholic. It actually makes for an interesting pair with La La Land (which is what I did, inadvertently). TheyA nice nostalgia trip. Gorgeous golden cinematography and subtle performances. It's a surprisingly dark movie, unsurprisingly melancholic. It actually makes for an interesting pair with La La Land (which is what I did, inadvertently). They share similar old-fashioned themes and a love for old Hollywood, with a similar resolve about the fate of living and loving. Though for me, LLL sticks the landing better.… Expand