"Dreams are Dreams" in Cafe Society

In Woody Allen’s latest film, we explore a timeless classic Hollywood love triangle----the big Hollywood talent agent, his secretary, and the new kid trying to break into the business.  However, this film explores a family matter, as the new kid is the exec’s nephew, a very Woody Allen twist.  Starring Steve Carrell, Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg as the respective love triangle experiencing perpetual trouble in paradise in 1930s Hollywood, this is Cafe Society.  

Woody Allen narrates the story from off screen, as we get an inside look on Bobby Dorfman’s family and homelike hailing from the Bronx.  Unsatisfied with the idea of following his dad's footsteps as a jeweler, he travels to Hollywood to stay with his uncle Phil in search of an exciting career. In order to get acquainted with the city, Phil's secretary Vonnie shows him around. Naturally, Bobby falls for Vonnie's charm, and she eventually is enchanted by him, but only after Phil says he won't be able to leave his wife for her, as their affair comes to an abrupt halt.

As a Woody Allen film would entail, things complicate, life goes on, and then things further complicate. Allen's narration goal was to make this movie watch like how a novel would read. The way he pieces the story together is reminiscent of how Annie Hall feels, a true classic film of his, especially as we flashback to Bobby's home life. With the Dorfman family, not a single line is wasted. They provide an honest look at Bobby's roots, and he stays honest to himself on his rise in cafe society.

As per usual, Allen chose an amazing soundtrack to set audiences into the era with piano music and the cabaret singer in the clubs. The sets were breathtaking, especially Phil's Hollywood estate and the nightclub that Bobby eventually takes over. The lighting is beautiful, the dresses women wear are bright and shiny, and the accessories worn are also glamorous without being gaudy, even for the time period.

Casting for this film was spot-on. Steve Carrell once again proves he can play a serious role, as I still sometimes can't get out of my head as Michael Scott. Jesse Eisenberg is an absolute delight. He's funny, passionate, and appropriately melancholic.  At some points, especially in the scene where Bobby hires a hooker for the evening (almost in a Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye way), his character transforms into the neurotic personality that is Woody Allen.  His mannerisms, speech patterns, and body language can only have been developed by following Woody Allen around for a few days or binge-watching his films.

Even though Kristen Stewart's acting is very melodramatic and emotionless at times, this played off very well for her roll as the torn Vonnie.  Corey Stoll, who plays Bobby's nightclub owner brother shines as well, and his risky business moves are dark as they are funny with his approach.  

Anyone who enjoyed Midnight in Paris will enjoy this film. The music is very similar, and the romantic lighting is absolutely breathtaking. Even though the eras and locations are different, both have a similar nostalgic charm for the jazz and look of the time period.

The ending of the movie was very ambiguous, yet also satisfying.  Very similar to Like Crazy, it is hard to say who Vonnie and Bobby wind up ultimately choosing. As Vonnie revisits the simpler life of pre-Hollywood wealth, she has a nostalgic flashback during her time with Bobby.  She does express that it was a tough decision for her to make, and she tries to rationalize her decision.  We do see the sadness and soft look in her eyes, and nod our heads in agreement.

There is a slight Gatsby-esque aspect to it, as some things will never change.  When Bobby and Vonnie started hanging out again after running into each other year’s later, they started falling for each other again.  Can you repeat the past? Maybe...maybe not. Dreams are dreams, after all, Vonnie quips, after she mentions her perpetual dreams about Bobby even after breaking his heart.

In the final scene, both Bobby and Vonnie are with their spouses at the stroke of midnight, Bobby at his night club and Vonnie at a glamorous Hollywood party. As a New Year promises starting new, the distance Bobby and Vonnie show to their spouses is apparent, and then the screen turns black. As far as I'm concerned, a film is a good film if it can leave it's audiences wondering what could be to come. And Cafe Society left me wondering whether or not Bobby and Vonnie will ever be truly happy based on Vonnie's decision to pursue Phil over Bobby. A sticky situation meant no one could come out unscathed.

Overall, the fact that "life is a comedy written by a sadistic comedy writer" plays a key part in Cafe Society.  Full of belly laughs, melodramatic sighs at the choices made, and beautiful piano music, Woody Allen delivers a timeless tale of love that cannot be missed this summer.