Crimes and Misdemeanors

1989

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

93%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 44

91%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 23,676
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Movie Info

Considered an important entry in filmmaker Woody Allen's body of work, and certainly one of his most interesting pieces, Crimes and Misdemeanors is an alternately comical and dramatic examination of scruples as it follows two parallel storylines that manage to connect by the story's end. One follows the exploits of a philandering optometrist (Martin Landau) who is trying hard to break off his relationship with an obsessive, overly dependent woman (Angelica Huston) who blackmails him into remaining with her. Her conniving leads to tragedy. The other plotline deals with a depressive documentarymaker (Allen) in love with his producer (Mia Farrow). He is working on a film about her selfish and arrogant employer, a popular television comedian.
  • Rating:
    PG-13
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Woody Allen
  • Written By:
    Woody Allen
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Orion Pictures Corporation

Cast

Woody Allen
as Clifford Stern
Martin Landau
as Judah Rosenthal
Mia Farrow
as Halley Reed
Alan Alda
as Lester
Anjelica Huston
as Dolores Paley
Sam Waterston
as Ben
Joanna Gleason
as Wendy Stern
Caroline Aaron
as Barbara
Jerry Orbach
as Jack Rosenthal
Claire Bloom
as Miriam Rosenthal
Jenny Nichols
as Jenny
Stephanie Roth
as Sharon Rosenthal
Daryl Hannah
as Lisa
Victor Argo
as Detective
Bill Bernstein
as Testimonial Speaker
Gregg Edelman
as Chris
Thomas P. Crow
as TV Producer
George J. Manos
as Photographer
Zina Jasper
as Carol
Delores Sutton
as Judah's Secretary
Martin Bergmann (II)
as Prof. Louis Levy
Derek Smith
Kenny Vance
as Murray
George Mason
as Photographer
Jerry Zaks
as Man on Campus
Nadia Sanford
as Alva
Chester Malinowski
as Hit Man
Dolores Sutton
as Judah's Secretary
Joel Fogel
as TV Producer
Stanley Reichman
as Chris' Father
Donna Castellano
as TV Producer
Rebecca Schull
as Chris' Mother
David S. Howard
as Sol Rosenthal
Garrett Simowitz
as Young Judah
Barry Finkel
as TV Writer
Steve Maidment
as TV Writer
Frances Conroy
as House Owner
Anna Berger
as Aunt May
Grace Zimmerman
as Bride
Randy Aaron Fink
as Groom
Rabbi Joel Zion
as Rabbi
Sol Frieder
as Seder Guest
Justin Zaremby
as Seder Guest
Marvin Terban
as Seder Guest
Hy Anzell
as Seder Guest
Sylvia Kauders
as Seder Guest
Nora Ephron
as Wedding Guest
Merv Bloch
as Wedding Guest
Thomas Bolster
as Wedding Guest
Robin Bartlett
as Wedding Guest
Warren Vache
as Jazz Band
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Critic Reviews for Crimes and Misdemeanors

All Critics (44) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (41) | Rotten (3)

  • It is both a civilised comedy with iron in its soul and a serious examination of our inner fears that also manages to be very funny.

    Mar 20, 2018 | Full Review…

    Derek Malcolm

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • The overall 'philosophical' thrust -- that good guys finish last and that crime does pay -- is designed to make the audience feel very wise, but none of the characters or ideas is allowed to develop beyond its cardboard profile.

    Feb 12, 2008 | Full Review…

    Jonathan Rosenbaum

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • The structural and stylistic conceit is that when Landau is onscreen, the film is dead serious, even solemn, while Allen's own appearance onscreen signals hilarious satire and priceless one-liners.

    Feb 12, 2008 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Dramatically, the film seldom fulfils its promise, and its pessimistic 'moral' -- that good and evil do not always meet with their just deserts -- looks contrived and hollow. Intriguing and patchily effective, nevertheless.

    Feb 9, 2006 | Full Review…

    Geoff Andrew

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • The movie's secret strength -- its structure, really -- comes from the truth of the dozens and dozens of particular details through which it arrives at its own very hesitant, not especially comforting, very moving generality.

    May 20, 2003 | Rating: 4.5/5

    Vincent Canby

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • A relative of Hannah and Her Sisters in its duplex structure and of The Purple Rose of Cairo in its bitter theme, Crimes is two movies in one, a blend of Allen's satiric and pretentious dramatic styles.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…

    Rita Kempley

    Washington Post
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (44)

Audience Reviews for Crimes and Misdemeanors

  • Feb 05, 2014
    This is the other Woody Allen great that I've been looking for, after watching Midnight in Paris and Annie Hall a few years ago, the rest of the Woody Allen works I've seen have ranged from near awful to very good. But none have been great, like Crimes and Misdemeanors. The Woody Allen scenes were consistently hilarious, crammed with witty one liners, and priceless moments. My favorite is when Woody Allen shows the final product for the documentary he's been making for and about his smug brother in law, in which he clips in a roaring Mussolini. Which is another unique aspect this film accomplished, in it's modern recreations of black and white movies, showing clips of the scene getting recreated moments after-usually at a theater. The more dramatic Martin Landua plot didn't put me in a solemn mood, that Woody Allen was trying to create. This is the one aspect of this film that didn't get accomplished in my viewing experience. The dilemmas were gripping, and the spiritual flashbacks were intriguing, but I lacked empathy in these scenes. I even felt more towards Woody Allen in his envy towards his brother-in-law, and his desire for Halley (Mia Farrow). Both stories cover a different stage of an affair, with much different results, and begs the question of which one got it better. The film editing is stellar, done by Susan E Morose, and Woody Allen directs another awesome comedy
    Daniel D Super Reviewer
  • Sep 22, 2012
    Perhaps this is a good movie - after all 90% of reviewers like it. I'm in the 10%. Is the world that full of MD's who get away with murder, comedians who are not funny, filmmakers who cannot make films, marriages that are farces? I guess I would prefer my movies to offer me hope instead of realism.
    Red L Super Reviewer
  • Apr 27, 2012
    "Sleeper" was and has been my favorite Allen film, always light, breezy and fun, but I haven't seen them all and now this dark rumination forces me to alter my original opinion. The acceptance here of dark forces roaming the void is unavoidable and comedy becomes ... disposable, or at best only momentary in a sea of sadness. Must see for Allen fans.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Jan 16, 2012
    One of Woody Allenâ(TM)s most highly regarded films, Crimes and Misdemeanors is a smart, thought provoking, and well acted drama, very similar to his later Match Point. Like Match Point, moral ambiguity is a key theme, with the film refusing to revert to easy answers and Hollywood clichà (C)s. Overall though, itâ(TM)s not as impactful as Match Point, due in part to its juggling multiple storylines, and not quite matching the unrelenting tension. Still, its effective mood and cynical sensibilities make it a must-see for Allen fans.
    Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
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