Film Review: Deep Thoughts, Shallow Characters in ‘Irrational Man’

Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 24, 2015 - 3:36pm

CHICAGO – At this point in his stellar career, what is fascinating about Woody Allen is basically what he thinks about. He is a successful, family-stable, millionaire filmmaker with mortality issues. In “Irrational Man,” he ponders the existential question of “what lights the spark of life?”

Rating: 3.0/5.0

The other question – in critical circles – is always, “what kind of Woody Allen will show up?” In assessing his long career, there are masterpieces, middle-of-the-roaders and duds, but it’s his dogged pursuit of making movies that is always welcome, and oddly comforting. “Irrational Man” is a middle-of-the-roader with flashes of brilliance, but the thin way Allen draws the characters – students and professors in an academic setting – is very irritating in the context of what he ponders. The film is less of an entertainment than a philosophical exercise, and Woody does attempt to have a meaningful discussion about a very piquant subject, but ultimately he takes too many shortcuts with his characters to be completely successful. Since this is set in academia, it grades around the “B-minus” curve.

An East Coast liberal arts college lands a prize – a published philosophy professor named Abe (Joaquin Phoenix). He comes to the school with a roughshod past, a drinking problem and a reputation for screwing things up. He fascinates the smaller college community, including fellow faculty member Rita (Parker Posey) and student Jill (Emma Stone).

Abe has ennui about life’s purpose, and shares it with Rita and Jill, who naturally are both attracted to his darkness. Jill’s crush is complicated by her boyfriend Roy (Jamie Blackley), and Rita can’t seem to seduce the errant educator. When Jill and Abe overhear a dilemma that has nothing to do with them, Abe figures out a solution to the situation which jumpstarts his life force. Whether all the people around him will support this new feeling is another dilemma.

”Irrational Man” opened July 17th nationwide, and opens July 24th in Chicago. See local listings for theaters and show times. Featuring Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Parker Posey and Jamie Blackley. Written and directed by Woody Allen. Rated “R”