The Purple Rose of Cairo

One of the most amazing Allen's films - and paradoxically, I would never have looked for Woody in it without knowing the director. The beautiful and almost mysterious romance and the precise performances of the main duo captivated me until the last minute. It is a masterful art to make the audience laugh and keep their smile for several minutes and then sincerely make them cry. (11/15/2005)

One of the fundamental criticisms of film critics that the majority of viewers not only did not share but also did not understand, was directed against the separation of the film world from reality. Films should reflect the reality of everyday life and address real problems, rather than offering an escape into a world of illusions. On the other hand, viewers always respond that they are fed up with ordinary reality and come to the movie theater to dream and have fun. Woody made an entertaining plaything about the film industry as a traditional factory of dreams, where we go to hide from the misery of daily exhausting reality. One day, the film character rebels and decides to experience real emotions and real life, addressing the viewer in the movie theater. What follows is a romance like those in the most debased dime novels, spiced up by Allen's ironic insight, but it has a somewhat painful ending for fans of the dime store novel genre. The Purple Rose of Cairo is a comedy, but unlike Woody's early works, it is not based on one-liners and wacky gags. It has a charming cast, and Woody has already proven here that his strongest suit is working with actors and creating well-developed dialogue. Overall impression: 85%. (10/27/2013)

I wish I'd been introduced to Woody's world with The Purple Rose of Cairo. But that didn’t happen, and things often get rough between us. However, this magical variation on love and emotions between film reality and the audience's reality is very pleasant. Mia is too sweet and the celluloid games are surprisingly effective. (12/18/2015)