Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) movie review

Woody Allen and Diane Keaton were back after their Oscar-winning pairing in Annie Hall back in 1977, 16 years later, in Manhattan Murder Mystery. They play a middle-aged couple and recent empty-nesters with time on their hands, who think their neighbour killed his wife. Allen infused his two favourite themes here – murder and the lack of excitement in long-term relationships. The result is an intriguing, refreshing and witty comedy that stands the test of time. 

Allen plays Larry Lipton, a book editor with Keaton playing Carol, his wife who’s a cook entertaining the idea of opening a restaurant. They meet a friendly elderly couple in their building and the next time they see them, the wife’s had a fatal heart attack. When the husband (Jerry Adler) appears to be uncharacteristically upbeat given the recent demise of his beloved wife, Carol concludes a mystery is afoot. 

Larry thinks Carol’s active imagination is in full gear while their friend Ted (Alan Alda) shows great enthusiasm for the case. But more than the mystery, Carol’s appetite for a thrilling adventure excites him. Carol on the other hand lets her suspicions take her to crazy avenues, snooping around the elderly couple’s apartment, acting like a private detective and speaking like one.

As Larry sees Carol drifting away, out of love for him and into Ted’s arms, given their joint fascination with living in a murder mystery, he decides to set Ted up with Marcia (Anjelica Huston). Marcia is an attractive and sexy writer who, oddly enough, is sweet on Larry. The five principal actors bring the script to life and elevate the experience to a level seldom achieved in romantic comedies.

Carlo Di Palma’s cinematography reminds us of the beautiful New York we see and adore in Allen’s movies. In interior scenes when Carol interacts with the other characters, the camera takes on her personality representing her nervous energy, fluttering about never staying focused on a single object for too long. As the story gets clearer, the camera gets steadier. The movie’s music is pleasing to the ear and succeeds in setting a relaxed ambience or picking up the pace as per the script’s demands.

The most enjoyable aspect of Manhattan Murder Mystery of course is Allen and Keaton’s chemistry. It’s like the couple from Annie Hall have matured and learned to be happy with each other despite their differences. They are a double act unlike any other we’ve seen onscreen. On their own or with other actors they are great, no doubt, but together, they are an experience to behold. Their styles complement each other like jeans and white t-shirts.

The mystery in the movie has genuine intrigue combined with a script that works on multiple levels. In one scene which is the movie’s highlight, the four main characters have dinner and discuss the mystery as the focus shifts from one character to the next like in a wonderful play. But at its core, Manhattan Murder Mystery is a romantic movie about a couple that still discovers new reasons to love one another. It’s one of those magical moments in cinema where great writing meets great performances. It’s easy, breezy, and highly entertaining with great actors.