Irrational Man
2015 · Directed by Woody Allen
Original language: English
- drama
- comedy
The story
On a small town college campus, a philosophy professor in existential crisis gives his life new purpose when he enters into a relationship with his student.
What it’s like
Warm, slightly faded autumn light over a small Rhode Island campus, with wooden lecture halls, leafy quads and cramped, lived-in apartments that feel like they belong to the characters rather than a set. Woody Allen frames his scenes in mostly conventional two-shots and medium close-ups, with brisk cuts and few flourishes, and the score leans on jaunty jazz standards that undercut the moral weight of what unfolds. The mood is dry, wry and anxious: a comedy of bad decisions and dark thoughts, with a suspenseful turn in its last act. Pacing is brisk and conversational, with much of the humour in sardonic dialogue about meaning, mortality and appetite. The lead is a burnt-out philosopher who finds a reason to get out of bed, and the young student who draws him back into the world is sharper than she first appears. Intensity is low: talk of death and a few tense moments, with one brief, off-screen act of violence and no gore. It suits viewers who enjoy talky, character-driven comedy with a cynical streak and a thriller's pull, rather than gentle or uplifting fare.
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