This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

An 82 minute drag, one of Allen's least satisfying films, to me, despite the fact that he proclaims it to be one of his very best. I really want to love it, because the idea is brilliant (but let's be real, Woody would later use this idea and do it a million times better with Midnight in Paris) and Mia Farrow and Jeff Daniels are great, but just something here is missing, and I'm pretty sure it's how un-Woody Allen any of these characters are. He literally steps out of this movie, which is of course very uncharacteristic and strange for Allen, and I guess that's just what doesn't click to me. It's alright, though.

The Purple Rose of Cairo exhibits one of cinema’s most imaginative narrative concepts and its initial execution is certainly the film’s best sequence. This iconic scene is daft, silly and magical; a sentiment Woody Allen embraces throughout his unique ode to cinema and the tremendous escapism it provided for cinemagoers during Depression-era America.

But one single concept, no matter how innovative, does not an engaging narrative make. While at first I was willing to embrace the lunacy of its central concept, Allen spends too much time trying to explain its ludicrous fantasy elements and the resulting dialogue is criminally on-the-nose.

Regardless of its flaws there’s still a sweet central romance, a tremendous performance from Mia Farrow and a gloriously realistic melancholy to its finale that are each plenty rewarding. It’s easy to see why it’s among many people’s Woody Allen favourites, but for me it’s not even close to the quality of Annie Hall or Manhattan.

Γούντυ, απορώ πώς ζούσα τόσα χρόνια χωρίς να έχω δει την πιο αγαπημένη μου ταινία σου.

An 82 minute drag, one of Allen's least satisfying films, to me, despite the fact that he proclaims it to be one of his very best. I really want to love it, because the idea is brilliant (but let's be real, Woody would later use this idea and do it a million times better with Midnight in Paris) and Mia Farrow and Jeff Daniels are great, but just something here is missing, and I'm pretty sure it's how un-Woody Allen any of these characters are. He literally steps out of this movie, which is of course very uncharacteristic and strange for Allen, and I guess that's just what doesn't click to me. It's alright, though.

Everything about this film is charming and clever and wonderful. I saw Midnight in Paris before (I'm kind of going in reverse chronological order as far as Woody Allen films go), and this recalled that same sense of fantasy and whimsy, but not to the point of being overstated or obnoxious. The whole concept is just so fantastic, but Woody makes the love conflict work so well, with Mia Farrow and Jeff Daniels doing excellent work.

A lighter, more "fun" movie than most Woody Allen movies I've seen, and yet also ultimately less than satisfying. It raises several interesting ideas (escapism and realism; playing your given role vs. creating your own destiny; fascination by innocence and incorruptibility) and creates enough space to allow the audience to run with those ideas, as far as we will. Sometimes, avoiding the deliverance of an insightful point of view with explicit clarity demonstrates admirable restraint- most of us don't want to be beaten over the head with the film-makers message. In this case, while I'm happy to have been prodded with the (mentioned) interesting ideas, I'm left wondering what Woody is trying to get across...

This is probably the best Woody Allen film out there. Its about the transformative nature of film, the line between fantasy and reality, and the meaning of life! Don't let the heavy subject matter fool you Woody does it with his usual humor and flair. Everyone allways talks about breaking the "fourth wall" but this film kills that concept. I cant recommend this film enough!

Una de mis favoritas Ever!!

A;ways a joy to return to this Allen staple. Brilliant to look at, across the board, and with a charming cast led by a heartbreaking Mia Farrow. One of the best films about being a film lover.

Absolutely loved this film more than I thought. The storyline is so creative, and you can't deny that while watching a flick on the big screen you have wanted an actor/actress to pop out of the screen and sweep you off your feet. Very delightful film. Totally recommend it!!!!

Cinefile escapism in its purest form. Woody Allen is one of my all-time favorite directors, yet for some reason I hadn't seen this classic until the other day. Of course, Mia Farrow is absolutely phenomenal in the lead role. She really is one of film's most underrated actresses ever. A young Jeff Daniels truly stands out among the rest, in a very demanding and complex role. And the ever-under-appreciated Danny Aiello makes his particular brand of acting seem damn-near effortless as Mia Farrow's lazy ingrate of a husband. But it is Woody Allen's masterful script and keen eye for how his stories should be presented that exalts this one from "very good" to a truly "great" film. Among his very finest work.

As moving as any Woody Allen film, The Purple Rose of Cairo is a gorgeous love-letter to the escapism of film. Beautifully written and performed.