New York City might be one of the most photographed and filmed cities on the planet, but few movies have truly captured the essence of the city quite like the romantic opening prologue to Woody Allen‘s “Manhattan.” One of the finest films ever directed by the filmmaker, it’s now looking better than ever and headed back to the big screen.
Following screenings last year at the Berlin Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival, Allen’s 1979 newly restored classic is now headed to the big screen in limited release. It’s a great opportunity to see the movie as it was intended, and certainly Gordon Willis’ gorgeous, black-and-white cinematography deserves to be seen in theaters. Here’s the official synopsis:
42-year-old Manhattan native Isaac Davis has a job he hates, a 17-year-old girlfriend he doesn’t love, and a lesbian ex-wife who’s writing a tell-all book about their marriage. Living vicariously through the protagonist of his debut novel, but struggling to find personal or professional fulfilment of his own, Isaac quits his job as a television writer and begins a relationship with his best friend’s mistress, setting him off on a neurosis-riddled journey of self-discovery and self-sabotage.
Starring Allen, Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep and Mariel Hemingway, “Manhattan” opens in New York on March 10th and will expand nationwide.