Review: ‘Cassandra’s Dream’

Zac:

Woody Allen’s second endeavor into crime drama, after the excellent Match Point, is another solid effort with excellent work from the cast, but a story that doesn’t really surprise on many levels.
We are quickly introduced to Ian and Terry (Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell, respectively) who are looking to purchase a small sail boat. We are immediately convinced of their brotherly love and that they will do anything to look out for one another and makes the whole movie entirely believable and feel real. The two brothers both try to live bigger lives then they are really placed with and dream and hope for bigger things. These dreams lead them to the unfortunate situation they are both put in and are forced to go to their Uncle Howard (Tom Wilkinson) for help.
The first third of the film is fantastic, watching the brothers living a bit better then they probably should, luck going their way, and life looking good. Things slow down a bit though once issues rise and the boys think they have caught a break when they learned the much fabled Uncle is coming in town. The events that follow I will not ruin as if you avoid the trailer and back of the box on this film it is probably further enjoyable.
The actors are fantastic to watch work. McGregor and Farrell work perfectly with each other and seem like they have been brothers forever. They know each other front and back, are fun to watch, and when things get serious they are more then capable of selling those emotions as well. Both of these guys are criminally underrated and I wish we could see them more often then we do.
Tom Wilkinson isn’t on screen much, but when he is he is oozing intensity and we can fell the panic in him and we rightly leave him being possibly untrustworthy, leaving us feeling sympathetic for the brothers as they go along.
Hayley Atwell is great as the guy jumping actress that Ian falls for, and her arc is very believable as she slowly falls for him. Sally Hawkins is also great as she handles Terry as he flings himself all over the board emotionally. The women of these boys help us see deeper into these great characters and really broaden the film as a character study.
My major complaint with the movie is that it gets a bit redundant toward the end. It could have used some trimming and it really might have quickened the pace. The movie flies by for the first third or so, but once things begin to get really bad; it drags when it should be driving to the end. Though, it lets you think about what is going to happen and it very well might work for some; but not for me.
I hope Allen continues to make some crime films like this every couple of years, though I hope he puts a bit different spin on things as this felt a bit too similar to Match Point at times. The movie is definitely worth seeing and is a great showcase for the two lead actors. Go in knowing as little as possible and don’t expect an action thriller but a brooding character drama and you shouldn’t be disappointed.

(4 out of 5)

Travis:

Cassandra’s Dream is Woody Allen’s newest film, but it strays pleasantly from his normal fare. The story takes place in London and asks the question, “how far will a person go to make their dreams come true?” Ewan McGregor plays Ian, a man with big dreams of success, while Colin Ferrall plays Terry, Ian’s less ambitious brother. Ian reluctantly tends his father’s failing restaurant while Terry works in a dead end garage. The two brothers are close, but their relationship eventually turns to an ironic tragic ending. Terry has had a long streak of good luck, but suddenly his luck runs out when he loses big at gambling and owes big to the loan sharks. Ian, who has been making big plans to invest in a major business venture in America, now finds himself putting what resources he has towards bailing his brother out of trouble. When the family learns that their wealthy uncle, played by Tom Wilkinson, is paying them a visit, things seem to start looking up. In a surprising twist of circumstances, this is when the brothers lives truly become complicated as untold secrets are revealed and life-changing decisions must be made. This crime-drama is engaging and keeps the audience immersed in the suspense and agony the two brothers are going through. As is typical of Woody Allen’s films, the acting is complimented by brilliant writing. The score, composed by Philip Glass, is an incredible addition to the piece as a whole. Normally producing wonderfully witty comedies, perhaps this change of genre is something we will see more of from him in the future.

(4.25 out of 5)

[rating: 4/5]