From its high-profile cast (Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone) and its high dialogue-to-action ratio, right down to its tortured, however brilliant protagonist, Woody Allen’s silver screen offering for 2015 has all the markings of his signature films. Like we would have expected anything less.
In typical Allen fashion, the cast is short and sweet. It encompasses the star-crossed oddball couple, Abe and Jill, and their attached family and friends. Jill (Stone) is a philosophy major who quickly befriends her professor, Abe (Phoenix), after he compliments her on her forward-thinking paper. A ravenous fascination with him ensues. It’s built on his sorrow, his alcohol abuse, his history, his knowledge, and finally, the possibility that she can ‘fix him’. But despite her advances, Abe is determined to keep their relationship plutonic, reiterating friendship at every twist and turn.
Inevitably, it isn’t Jill who turns Abe’s frown upside down, but the possibility of redemption through an existential criminal act. Entertaining a Strangers On A Train scenario, Abe secretly devises a plan to commit a murder, which in turn would relieve the suffering of another tortured soul. It’s his newfound ravenous fascination in the ability to pull off this perfect crime that gives him a new lease of life; a will to live, as he would have it. But the question is: does taking a life to save another truly redemption?
Phoenix plays Abe remarkably. He is subtle, understated and quietly likeable. His relentless refusal against Jill’s persistence is admirable as he allows Abe to stay true and honest to himself. All commendation must be made to Stone as well, who captures the energy of Jill and throws it back into the mix with effortless ease. While there are times where it feels as though her character is childish and insipid, it’s never long until she throws another thought-provoking or feminist wile our way and we are taken.
Cleverly written and executed with just enough raw humour to dampen the philosophical blow that Allen loves to deploy, Irrational Man is as enjoyable as it is thought-provoking.
3.5/5 stars
Irrational Man opens in cinemas on Thursday August 20.