Cassandra's Dream (Dir. Woody Allen/2007)
Social-status is rarely explicit in Allen’s films. Upper-class
New Yorkers philosophising about life is more down his street, and placing
characters in the top rungs of society mean relationships and death are the
only things worth thinking about. Set within the cloudy and rain-sodden streets
of London, Cassandra’s Dream bucks
the trend as brothers Ian (McGregor) - a restaurant-owner - and Terry (Farrell)
- a content car-mechanic - turn to their mysterious Uncle Howard (Wilkinson) for
money. Ian and Terry just need to kill someone for Uncle Howard and the money
is theirs. Allen’s trademark cynicism
and insight gives food for thought but it doesn’t make up for the lack of
urgency in such a steady-paced film. The family dynamics toys with relationships
between fathers and sons – and envy and expectation. Underrated, Cassandra’s Dream may not be his best –
but it introduces a class attitude we have rarely seen before.
Rating: 6/10
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