Since ‘Annie Hall’ (1977) starring Diane Keaton and Woody Allen (also written & directed by Allen), and at the same time starting my own career in film production, his films have been favorites as he presents what I call ‘slice of life’ stories of relationships.  All kinds of relationships, male friends, female friends, and men & women trying to relate to each other and the society around them.  I still use to this day, almost 40 years later, Diane Keaton’s line as Annie Hall as a retort to a situation or circumstance that’s beyond words: ‘La Dee Dah, La Dee Dah!’

His latest,  ‘You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger’once again gives us a look at the dynamics of relationships.  Gemma Jones plays a woman named Helena who abandons rationality and surrenders her life to a charlatan fortuneteller, after her husband Alfie (Anthony Hopkins) divorce’s her to pursue his lost youth, and, a free-spirited call-girl (Lucy Punch).   

At the same time, Helena's daughter Sally (Naomi Watts), Unhappy in her marriage, develops a crush on her art gallery owner/boss (Antonio Banderas) while her husband Roy (Josh Brolin) a novelist nervously awaiting the response to his latest manuscript, becomes infatuated with a mysterious woman (Freida Pinto), his neighbor across the courtyard that start’s with his eyeing her from his study window.

The lives and consequences of each of the character’s actions unfold as they go forward from the thoughts they have, to acting upon them, with revelations for each of them as their actions affect those around them.

One can expect ‘slices of life’ portrayals in a Woody Allen film and ‘You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger’ is no exception.  Once the premises, and yes, there are always a few, are established, the experience becomes the journey of discovery as we the viewer examine our own intricacies’ to our personality as the characters due theirs.  Its not the best from Woody Allen, it is an interesting ride.  3 ½ of 5 stars

Starring Gemma Jones, Pauline Collins, Anthony Hopkins, Rupert Frazer, Kelly Harrison, Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin, Freida Pinto, Antonio Banderas, and Ewen Bremner.

Written & directed by Woody Allen. Sony Pictures Classics release. Rated R for some language.  Runtime: 98 minutes.

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