Irrational Man

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: July 17, 2015

6.7	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 114 Ratings

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wevertonaguiiarDec 7, 2019

Falta sutileza para este filme; as "aulas" do Professor Abe dão uma tónica do que está por vir, porém isto é feito de forma curta e muito declarada. A aula de professor renomado parece mais a resenha de um aluno do primeiro ano de filosofia.Falta sutileza para este filme; as "aulas" do Professor Abe dão uma tónica do que está por vir, porém isto é feito de forma curta e muito declarada. A aula de professor renomado parece mais a resenha de um aluno do primeiro ano de filosofia. A conexão - bem pobre - com o livro "Crime e Castigo" já estava bem clara, não havia a menor necessidade de citar o livro durante a história. O roteiro é muito apressado ao tentar passar para o público os sentimentos dos personagens, mas tudo parece artificial e nem um pouco crível. Os atores fazem o possível com um roteiro desleixado..… Expand

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EpicLadySpongeMay 27, 2016

I think Irrational Man is trying itself too hard to entertain all of us and it's even a bummer knowing that this review came too late than the time it was supposed to come out. Peace, people.

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csw12Feb 21, 2016

Irrational Man is as dull and dead as its main character. Too many of the conversations seem unnatural and the entire story played out as a weirdly mixed comedy and drama.

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nicholasbertJan 15, 2016

If Match Point hadn't existed, maybe Irrational Man would be considered differently; however, Match Point does exist, and Irrational Man is essentially a translation of it from British country clubs to American college campuses. The moralIf Match Point hadn't existed, maybe Irrational Man would be considered differently; however, Match Point does exist, and Irrational Man is essentially a translation of it from British country clubs to American college campuses. The moral dilemma (including the importance of chance) is autoreferential and a hallmark of Woody Allen's take on life. It maybe would be fair to assume Irrational Man to be the solidification point of the director's career, a sort of "this is what I do" stated in capital letters.

This being said, Irrational Man isn't despicable: what it lacks is a few adjustments to make Abe's dilemma and resolution clearer and perhaps more humour. It is essentially driven by Joaquin Phoenix's and Emma Stone's performances, without a doubt the proof they are good, if not great, actors. The dialogue is cultivated and relentless as you'd expect from Woody Allen - it's just not as funny or cynical.

One would do Irrational Man a dishonour to review it in light of Allen's past films and therefore downing its rating. It's not his best, but it's more pleasant and more insightful than so many more.… Expand

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TimbarosSep 15, 2015

Woody Allen's 47th film, 'Irrational Man', sticks to several themes he's already explored in a few of his previous films, and is not one of his best.

An older man being pursued by a younger woman is a plot device that Allen has presentedWoody Allen's 47th film, 'Irrational Man', sticks to several themes he's already explored in a few of his previous films, and is not one of his best.

An older man being pursued by a younger woman is a plot device that Allen has presented to us many times before (Magic in the Moonlight and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger). In 'Irrational Man,' Joaquin Phoenix plays pot-bellied depressed middle age philosophy professor Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix). He's the newest teacher at a small town college in Rhode Island. He's single and doesn't seem to have much going for him. However, two women vie for his attention; unhappily married fellow teacher Rita (Parker Posey) who fantasizes them running away together to Spain, and student Jill (Emma Stone). Jill is in Abe's philosophy class, and she is mesmerized by his teachings and his stance on life. They start to spend lots of time together outside of the classroom, much to the dismay of Jill's perfect boyfriend Roy (Jamie Blackley). Abe tries and tries to resist the urge to sleep with Jill, though he has no trouble having sex with Rita. However, Abe's relationship with Jill is becoming stronger and stronger, until he can no longer resist her, and they eventually sleep together. Jill is so smitten with Abe that she breaks the news to her boyfriend Roy that she wants to break up. The plot then takes a turn: one day at a diner Abe and Jill overhear a woman talking about a local judge who has ruled against her in a divorce proceeding and has awarded custody of her kids to her husband. She also tells the people she is with how the judge has destroyed her life. At this point Abe decides he's going to do something about this woman's problem. His decision rejuvenates him, it transforms him from someone who is aimless and depressed to someone who is full of life and energetic. And he actually does go through with his plan. Of course his actions are irrational, but to him they are rational. But does he think he's pulled off the perfect crime?

There's not much more to the film's plot which is probably why it's only 95 minutes. But Allen does get more from his actors than what the script provides. Phoenix is perfectly cast as the loner professor who struggles with his identity but is lucky enough to have two attractive women vying for his attention. Stone overdoes it a bit as Jill, the student who has a good thing going with Roy but sees something attractive in Abe that we don't see. Stone played a similar role in Allen's last film - 'Magic in the Moonlight' - falling for Colin Firth's much older character. Posey is a delight as Rita, fantasizing about a life with Lucas in Europe. But Allen's script doesn't provide much magic, it's humdrum at the very best in a film that can be categorized as not one of his best. It also won't have much box office appeal here in the UK- in the U.S. the film has made a measly $3.7 million - a far cry from 'Magic in the Moonlight's' total gross of $32 million. At age 79, we're sure there's lots more films in Woody Allen's repertoire to redeem himself from this one.

By Tim Baros… Expand

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ledaumasAug 14, 2015

It's amazing how Woody Allentown gets away with taking other people's stories, and getting undeserved praise as a writer/director. "Blue Jasmine" was an update of Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Names Desire." "Midnight in Paris" used quotesIt's amazing how Woody Allentown gets away with taking other people's stories, and getting undeserved praise as a writer/director. "Blue Jasmine" was an update of Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Names Desire." "Midnight in Paris" used quotes from the Lost Generation's words and writings as the screenplay. "Magic in the Moonlight" combined the lives of famous magicians, Harry Houdini and Chung Ling Soo. And now we have "Irrational Man" which resembles the premise of Michael Douglas' "Star Chamber," except the characters are less likable. I don't understand how women would fall for Joaquin Phoenix's character. Yet, it's amazing what Joaquin does with an unlikable character. He made the character interesting and intriguing, instead of the whiny way his character was written. Some day, Joaquin wil win an Oscar. But not for this movie.… Expand

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TVJerryAug 10, 2015

Joaquin Phoenix plays a philosophy professor who's low on life when he moves to a new college. He spends much of the rest of the movie interacting with student Emma Stone (and a few scenes with Parker Posey), philosophizing and moralizing.Joaquin Phoenix plays a philosophy professor who's low on life when he moves to a new college. He spends much of the rest of the movie interacting with student Emma Stone (and a few scenes with Parker Posey), philosophizing and moralizing. When he makes a drastic decision, it changes him for the better but develops into a moral dilemma. As expected from a Woody Allen film, the actors are all good, but his endless early chatter makes staying around a challenge. The last third becomes more compelling, but you gotta sit thru the rest for the payoff. Oh yes, this is not one of Allen's comedies: not one laugh in site.… Expand

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