Cafe Society Review: 6 Ups & 3 Downs

Downs

3. It Feels Like A "Greatest Hits" Of Allen's Movies

Cafe Society Jesse Eisenberg Kristen Stewart
Lionsgate

For all of its many pleasures, Cafe Society is basically a compendium of Woody Allen's most successful tropes. Jesse Eiseneberg is basically playing an Allen substitute here, an endlessly neurotic man tirelessly persistent in pursuit of a more attractive woman, with a script that intermittently muses on the nature of love and death.

It's fair to say that Allen doesn't do a whole lot new here: some might say he's even coasting or spinning his wheels, though given the generally enjoyable nature of the film that seems a tad harsh. Unambitious seems more apt: it doesn't see Allen making any major strides creatively, but at this stage in his life and career, that's not hugely surprising.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.