Cassandra's Dream

I'm terribly outdated in my movie reviews. Yes I'm aware. terribly sorry about it. Really busy at work. So here goes the on off reviews in random order. Many more to go! Bear with me!

Cassandra's Dream

Genre: Drama
Runtime: 1hr 48mins
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Colin Farrell, Tom Wilkinson, Sally Hawkins, Hayley Atwell
Director: Woody Allen
Screenwriter: Woody Allen
Producer: Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum, Gareth Wiley
Composer: Philip Glass

I have always been a supporter of Woody Allen films. He’s just so original and talented. Though he lacks in the looks department, think about it. A writer, director and actor! When you have so many talents all rolled into one package, it more than makes up for the lack in terms of looks.

Cassandra’s Dream may not be a perfect film (as with most films) but it definitely is a more than average film with a moral to it. The strong cast of Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell, is reason enough to catch this movie.

Ewan McGregor is the boastful elder brother with hardly any morals while Colin Farrell is interestingly, the younger brother who is more uncertain of himself. Frankly speaking, I have never seen Farrell in any role like this and I must applaud his wonderful performance here! As a real life playboy, his role here as a hard core gambler, a small town boy and a dedicated boyfriend with a sweetheart is so sweet to watch.

Lured by their “evil” uncle to get rid of a business rival, the boys are lured to the road of no return with the promise of monetary reward which both brothers required for good reason. The elder brother needs it to live up the false image of wealth with his wannabe actress girlfriend while the younger brother needs the money to repay the huge gambling debt amounting to 900,000 pounds!

The scene where Farrell dithers about doing it, betraying himself is pitch perfect. We see him lingering along the fine lines between right and wrong, choosing between facing the music or seeing his problem solved by doing something morally wrong. The part where the uncle requested for them to do the deed was also executed very well, having perfect chemistry with Tom Wilkinson, the uncle.

Once the deed is done, we begin to witness the decline of the boys, contrary to what they thought would be their savior. Farrell begins to fall apart, McGregor discovers that it is not easy to continue his farce and the brothers begin to fall out.

The surprise twist towards the end came as kind of a shocker and the film had to end somewhat abruptly. Perhaps it was for dramatic effect but I sure would have preferred a less sudden ending to the movie.