Manhattan
Short description
Isaac Davis is a television comedy writer in his early forties living in Manhattan. He is unhappy in his work, and his marriage has ended: his ex-wife Jill now lives with another woman and is writing a book about their life together. He is dating Tracy, a seventeen-year-old schoolgirl, while also growing close to Mary Wilkie, the intelligent and much-admired girlfriend of his best friend Yale. Isaac's interest in Mary sets off a chain of breakups and new beginnings as he tries to work out what he wants from love and from the city around him.
Woody Allen directed and stars, with Diane Keaton as Mary, Michael Murphy as Yale and Mariel Hemingway as Tracy; Meryl Streep plays Jill. Allen wrote the screenplay with Marshall Brickman, and Charles H. Joffe produced. The film was shot in black and white and set to music by George Gershwin. Released in April 1979, it was Allen's eighth film as director, following Interiors and preceding Stardust Memories.
Made for about 9 million dollars, Manhattan took roughly 40 million dollars worldwide, a strong return. On IMDb it holds 7.8 out of 10 from around 154,000 votes, and on TMDB 7.7 from about 2,700. A critics' rating of 8.6 from 72 reviews places it above those audience scores, indicating very favorable professional notice.
What's left behind the scenes
- Meryl Streep filmed all her scenes during breaks in Robert Benton's filming of the drama "Kramer vs. Kramer".
- The famous bridge was filmed at 5 a.m. A garden bench had to be brought in, as there were no benches on location. The bridge was illuminated by two rows of lanterns controlled by a timer, the operation of which was the responsibility of the city authorities. The lanterns were turned off at sunrise. Cinematographer Gordon Willis arranged with the city administration not to turn off the lanterns until filming was complete. Filming of the scene began, and one row of lanterns went out; director Woody Allen was ultimately forced to use that take.
- According to cinematographer Gordon Willis, this film is his best work.
- According to Woody Allen, the idea to make this film came from his love of George Gershwin's music, just as he was listening to one of his albums of overtures.
- Woody Allen disliked the finished film so much that he offered the studio bosses to film any film for them for free, on the condition that they shelve "Manhattan." They refused, and the released film became a hit both at the box office and with audiences and critics. Even though it has gained a cult status over the years and consistently ranks among the top films in numerous lists of Woody Allen's best works, the director considers it his worst: "To this day, when I think about "Manhattan," I wonder: is that all I was capable of then? I don't understand how they didn't stop giving me money for films after that."
- The famous bridge was filmed at 5 a.m. A garden bench had to be brought in, as there were no benches on site. The bridge was illuminated by two rows of lanterns controlled by a timer, the operation of which was the responsibility of the city authorities. The lanterns were switched off at sunrise. Cinematographer Gordon Willis (1931-2014) arranged with the city administration not to turn off the lanterns until filming was completed, and then they could be switched off. Filming of the scene began, and one row of lanterns went out; director Woody Allen was ultimately forced to use this take with only one row of lit lanterns.
- According to Woody Allen, the idea to make this film was born out of his love for the music of George Gershwin (1898-1937), just as he was listening to one of his albums of overtures.
- Meryl Streep filmed all scenes involving her character during breaks in Robert Benton's filming of the drama 'Kramer vs. Kramer' (1979).
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