Film Review: “Cafe Society” (2016)

cafe societyI have a complicated relationship with Woody Allen’s movies. On one hand, I love their general mood and beautiful visuals. On the other – I am increasingly disappointed by the scripts. They seem to be telling the same story over and over again, and the quality of this story is, sadly, not improving. My opinion of “Cafe Society” is very much in line with this.

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The movie is a story of a young man coming to Hollywood looking for something more exciting than work with his father. He is hired by his uncle, a Hollywood producer, and discovers the ups and downs of living in Tinseltown. He also falls in love with his uncle’s secretary, Vonnie. As per usual in Woody Allen’s movies, no love story is ever that simple.

The good

I love, love, LOVE the visuals. It’s no surprise, really – the movie takes place in 1930s Hollywood and New York City. I mean, it doesn’t get better than that for me. All the costumes, scenography and music are simply enchanting. Chanel played a big part in the creation of costumes for the movie and it shows! The glamour is breathtaking! The cast is very good – Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, Steve Carell, Corey Stall and Blake Lively, as well as Anna Camp who is a very funny one scene wonder.

The movie’s soundtrack is full of wonderful, light variations on well-known melodies such as “The Lady Is A Tramp, “Jeepers Creepers” and “Have You Met Miss Jones?”. I’m listening to it as I’m writing this review and it’s delightful, jazzy, easy listening.

The not-so-good

I’m not very happy with the story of the movie. I’m not even entirely sure that the title is relevant. I would expect some analysis of Hollywood or New York’s cafe society, but apart from a few voice-over anecdotes, the plot really focuses on the rather unexciting love triangle.

Now, I don’t want to discourage anyone! I have a certain taste in movies, which is dictated by my personal preferences and education I’ve received throughout the years. Watching this movie I felt like yes, scenes happened in some order. But there was no real plot to the movie, no culmination, no resolution. Just events happening, one after the other, without structure. I’m sure that this will not be everyone’s opinion.

The verdict

If you like Woody Allen’s movies, are excited about retro fashion, are looking for light entertainment and a few laughs – by all means go and see it!

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All pictures from The Woody Allen Pages.

The Vanities Girls

Vanities Girls

Since January 1994 American magazine Vanity Fair dedicated a section called Vanities to young, aspiring actresses and actors. A picture on the first page of this part of the magazine was like a second cover. In September 2006 they decided to spice up this column and the actresses presented in it were shown in 50s pin up stylized pictures. Here are some of my favourite shots:

Isla Fisher November 2006

Isla Fisher – November 2006 (photo: Michael Elins)

2. Mary Elizabeth Winstead December 2006

Mary Elizabeth Winstead – December 2006 (photo: Michael Elins)

4. Alice Braga January 2007

Alice Braga – January 2007 (photo: Michael Elins)

4. Hayden Pennettiere February 2007

Hayden Pannetiere – February 2007 (photo: James White)

5. Emily Blunt March 2007

Emily Blunt – March 2007 (photo: James White)

6. Kristen Stewart April 2007

Kristen Stewart – April 2007 (photo: James White)

7. Rachael Taylor May 2007

Rachael Taylor – May 2007 (photo: Michael Elins)

8. Leslie Mann June 2007

Leslie Mann – June 2007 (photo: Michael Elins)

9. Jess Weixler August 2007

Jess Weixler – August 2007 (photo: Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele)

10. Alexa Davalos September 2007

Alexa Davalos – September 2007 (photo: Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele)

11. Alice Eve October 2007

Alice Eve – October 2007 (photo: James White)

12. Lymari Nadal November 2007

Lymari Nadal – November 2007 (photo: Michael Elins)

13. Giovanna Mezzogiorno December 2007

Giovanna Mezzogiorno – December 2007 (photo: Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele)

14. Jurnee Smollett January 2008

Jurnee Smollett – January 2008 (photo: Matthew Rolston)

15. Malin Akerman February 2008

Malin Akerman – February 2008 (photo: Matthew Rolston)

16. Carice Van Houten March 2008

Carice Van Houten – March 2008 (photo: Wayne Maser)

17. Summer Glau April 2008

Summer Glau – April 2008 (photo: Mark Seliger)

18. Kristen Bell May 2008

Kristen Bell – May 2008 (photo: Mark Seliger)

19. Meagan Good June 2008 Meagan Good – June 2008 (photo: Patrick Demarchelier)

20. Amanda Seyfried July 2008

Amanda Seyfried – July 2008 (photo: Mark Seliger)

21. Carla Gugino September 2008

Carla Gugino – September 2008 (photo: Matthew Rolston)

22. Mila Kunis October 2008

Mila Kunis – October 2008 (photo: Matthew Rolston)

23. Teresa Palmer December 2008

Teresa Palmer – December 2008 (photo: Jason Bell)

24. Vinessa Shaw February 2009

Vinessa Show – February 2009 (photo: Matthew Rolston)

25. Freida Pinto March 2009

Freida Pinto – March 2009 (photo: Micaela Rossato)

All pictures from
Vanity Fair