What Culture | ‘Irrational Man’ Review

WC

Another year, another film from Woody Allen. The 79-year-old’s insistence on directing a feature every year, without fail, has produced mixed results. His working method sees him often times pull ideas out his idea drawer, a literal drawer in his desk that is filled with potential stories for films that he’s had over the years. Invariably, some are stronger than others.

Last year’s Magic in the Moonlight, also starring Emma Stone, was clichéd and lightweight, a disappointment after 2013’s stunning Blue Jasmine, which was powered by an Oscar-winning Cate Blanchett performance. I was hoping that Irrational Man would be elevated by a similarly impressive performance from the selective Joaquin Phoenix, fresh off the polarising (but underrated) Inherent Vice.