Woody Allen’s five films prior to “Cafe Society” included a couple of Oscar winners (“Midnight in Paris”, “Blue Jasmine”), a guilty pleasure (“Irrational Man”), a mixed bag (“Magic in the Moonlight”) and a bit of a disaster (“To Rome with Love”). This latest all-star, romantic dramedy is the first Allen movie distributed by Lionsgate and Amazon, with the online giant already agreeing to finance Allen’s 2017 project for a reported $25 million. That decision was likely based on early box office results and not on the quality of “Cafe Society”, which is on the weak side of the Allen spectrum.
Woody tries to suck us into the visual splendor of the 1930s, both in New York City, and particularly, Hollywood, but never quite succeeds. So it’s up to story and performances to make this a winner, and neither are up to the challenge. Allen narrate this tale (sadly, at 80, the signature tone and tenor of his voice are all but gone), introducing us to a bulked-up Steve Carell as big-time Tinseltown movie studio agent Phil Stern. I’ve enjoyed Carell’s dramatic roles over the years, and while his work as antagonists in “The Way, Way Back” and “Foxcatcher” was spot-on, he’s not as convincing here.
Phil’s timid, quirky nephew, Bobby (played by Jesse Eisenberg) has moved from The Big Apple to Hollywood hoping to land a job at his uncle’s agency. He becomes Phil’s assistant and immediately falls for Vonnie, Phil’s personal secretary. Kristen Stewart reunites with Eisenberg for the third time, following “Adventureland” (2009) and last year’s awful action comedy “American Ultra”, and while they don’t give career-best performances, their connection feels natural.
A love triangle (an Allen staple) soon develops that eventually changes shape, as a City Hall PR woman (played by Blake Lively) enters the picture. Her character’s name will likely make your eyes rolls (as it did mine), with Allen, the writer, getting too cute for the movie’s good. At one point Bobby states, “Love is a comedy, from a sadistic writer”. This may be an attempt by Allen to salute himself, but unfortunately this script doesn’t have the bite, irony or evil streak to live-up to that tribute. It’s simply another in a series of Woody Allen’s overly-crafted, fantasy romances.
“Cafe Society” also includes a few off-the-tracks subplots involving Bobby’s gangster brother and his quirky, Jewish parents. Nothing new here. These elements, along with everything else in the tidy 95-minutes, faii to provide the charm that’s always a part of Allen’s best movies. Lively and Parker Posey (so good in “Irrational Man”) are wasted in throwaway roles.
Not until the final moments of “Cafe Society” do we actually get a few things to contemplate, thanks to an authentic scene which touches on life, love and loss. It also got me wondering why Woody didn’t put as much thought and care into the rest of this film.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “Cafe Society” gets a C-.
Running Time: 96 min.