edwagreen When I first saw this film and saw what it was leading to, I was immediately reminded of the Bette Davis 1964 classic, Dead Ringer, where Bette killed her twin sister and assumed the dead sister's identity. While that is not exactly the case here, the plot of killing sisters within the family comes about.The film stars Woody Allen, as neurotic as ever. The scene in the stuck elevator depicts this at its best. Diane Keaton is fabulous as his wife, neurotic to the core, who begins to suspect foul play when their next door neighbor dies suddenly in the apartment from an apparent coronary.The woman's sudden demise becomes an obsessive thing for Keaton who will not stop at finding clues, even going so far to go into the apartment and search for clues. She is aided by Alan Alda, a family friend, recently divorce who seems to egg her on. Anjelica Huston co-stars as a client of Allen who is bright enough to figure the entire situation out.Neurotic behavior at its best.

leonblackwood Review: Haven't these people got anything interesting going on in there lives why they have to be spending all there time working out if there is a killer living in there building? Anyway, I enjoyed this old school murder mystery which is a bit far fetched in parts but you still want to find out if the neighbour is a murderer. It's good to see Woody Allen make a film which has nothing to do with relationships, although he does questioned Diane Keaton about her feelings for his friend half of the time. It's amazing how Allen doesn't really show any interest in the whole conspiracy until Keaton pairs up with Alda to unravel the clues, but that's what made the movie funny. When Huston gets introduced to Alda, she cleverly pieces the whole thing together which brings to light, the true crime that took place. Anyway, it's great writing by Allen and light hearted fun. Watchable!Round-Up: I much prefer the toned down version of Woody Allen to his usual million words per minute movies because you actually have a chance to get his jokes. The chemistry between the whole cast really does work and Anjelica Huston was a great addition to the crime busting pack of misfits. Although the movie came out in 1993, it's still watchable today and the storyline does get a little out of hand near the end but it's still enjoyable.Budget: $13.5million Worldwide Gross: $11millionI recommend this movie to people who are into there Woody Allen detective dramas, about a couple who try and work out if there neighbour is a murderer. 5/10

TheLittleSongbird As someone who has really liked or loved most of what she's seen of Woody Allen's filmography(15 left to watch as of now)- he has done some disappointments but none to me have been terrible or unwatchable, more uneven than anything else-, Manhattan Murder Mystery is up there with his best, not quite in his top 5 but most definitely in the top 10. As always with Allen it's adroitly directed and beautifully made with a noir-ish feel that adds so much to the atmosphere and mystery. The music is energetic and haunting, adding much to the comedic and mystery aspects of the story. Love the old songs too, they have a very nostalgic quality and easy to recognise. The writing is hilarious and in distinctive Allen fashion- not quite among the best screenplays of all time but some of the lines here are some of the most quotable from any Woody Allen film- while also keeping the suspense to nail-biting effect. Manhattan Murder Mystery works brilliantly both as a comedy and mystery. The comedy never takes a heavy-handed approach- in fact a lot of it is quite light- and always amuses and the mystery aspect is even better, very Hitchcockian(there was a very Rear Window influence here) and intricate and with great atmosphere and suspense. A highlight is the ending with the mirror sequence paying homage to Lady in Shanghai, it really has to be one of the best ever endings of any of Allen's films and is also very visually striking. The characters as with many Woody Allen films are purposefully neurotic but also compelling in their realism and they all serve a point to the story, no superficiality in sight. Allen gets great performances from the cast and his own performance is excellent. He has believable chemistry with Diane Keaton who gives her absolute all to her most neurotic, bat-out-of-hell character yet. Anjelica Huston is strong as usual though she has given better performances in meatier roles and while Alan Alda gives a better performance in Crimes and Misdemeanors (a textbook example of how to play a weasel of a character well, brilliantly in his case) but he doesn't disappoint either. Overall, a brilliant film and one of Allen's best, a minor work this is not. 10/10 Bethany Cox

SnoopyStyle Larry (Woody Allen) and Carol Lipton (Diane Keaton) are a middle age NYC couple. Their next door neighbors are an elderly couple Paul (Jerry Adler) and Lillian House (Lynn Cohen). When Lillian ends up dead, Carol is suspicious of Paul who is a little too perky. Their divorced friend Ted (Alan Alda) helps out causing a bit of jealousy from Larry. Marcia Fox (Anjelica Huston) is a card playing novelist and editor Larry tries to set her up with Ted.The gang is back for a little bit of a murder mystery. It has the fun chemistry of an older Woody and Diane pairing. Woody is his neurotic alter-ego. Diane's driven investigation is charming. They are still hilarious together. The pacing is a steady stream of nervous talking and I do wish that Woody breaks it up with something more intense. It does turn into more of a caper in the end. It's a fine movie for Woody fans.