CASSANDRA’S DREAM

Since the early seventies Woody Allen has consistently made brilliant films year after year. But sadly from the beginning of the decade the great master seems to have lost his magic touch. Here he makes another desperate attempt to resurrect his flagging career and win back his faithful admirers. The story takes place in contemporary London where two working class brothers Terry (Colin Farrell) and Ian (Ewan MacGregor) have reached a low point in their lives and finances. Terry is a compulsive gambler who has just lost thousands on a card game and Ian fancies himself as a wealthy playboy who wants to impress Angela (rising star Hayley Atwell), an attractive actress he has just met. Their rich but dodgy uncle Howard (Tom Wilkinson) offers to help them financially but with a condition – they must do some dirty work for him. Ian jumps at the chance whereas the more sensitive Terry reluctantly agrees. The story is fascinating but unfortunately Allen’s script with its London idiom doesn’t ring true despite the valiant attempts of the actors. It is beautifully shot by Vilmos Zsigmond complimented by a stunning score from Philip Glass but finally Allen fails to create the necessary suspense.