Cafe Society Review: 6 Ups & 3 Downs

5. Kristen Stewart Is A Charming Surprise

Even champions of Kristen Stewart probably wouldn't describe her as "charming". Her best roles have typically exuded a certain uncomfortable awkwardness, and yet trust Allen to be the one to bring her out of her shell and deliver her most effervescent work to date as the lovely Vonnie.

Stewart is by far the movie's most interesting character, beginning as an staunch immaterialist whose complicated love life forms much of the movie's dramatic crux. Stewart's chats with Eisenberg's Bobby are effortlessly engaging due in large part to her unexpected radiance, aided no doubt by the aforementioned luscious cinematography.

It's popular to rag on Stewart for lacking affect and emotion in her performances, and though those detractors probably wouldn't touch an Allen film to see themselves proven wrong, this is proof perfect that she possesses more range than most likely expected.