Woody Allen was in a bad mood in 1988, for he made two of his most sombre films: "September" and "Another Woman." "September" is dreadful, but "Another Woman" is quite good. Gena Rowlands plays a troubled woman who overhears the therapy sessions of an anonymous younger woman (Mia Farrow) through the vents in her apartment, and whose life begins to be impacted by what she hears. The film is a character study that gives Rowlands freedom to act up a storm, which she does, well, and it gives an ensemble cast of recognizable faces juicy little parts as the people who come in and out of Rowlands' life.
The biggest problem with Allen's dramas is that they're oppressive. He seems to think that a serious-themed film must be completely devoid of humour in order to be effective. "Another Woman" doesn't entirely escape that trap, but strong writing and acting carry it through and make it feel like more than a Bergman rip-off, which is exactly what "September" does feel like.
Grade: B
The biggest problem with Allen's dramas is that they're oppressive. He seems to think that a serious-themed film must be completely devoid of humour in order to be effective. "Another Woman" doesn't entirely escape that trap, but strong writing and acting carry it through and make it feel like more than a Bergman rip-off, which is exactly what "September" does feel like.
Grade: B