Woody Allen exchanged his trademark jazz opening to a quote from one of my favorite philosophers for his title credit sequence. "Kant said human reason is troubled by questions it cannot dismiss, but also cannot answer." spoke Joaquin Phoenix while driving. Woody Allen's 2015 film, Irrational Man, brought the writer/director back to America, but not back to New York. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone, Irrational Man follows a philosophy professor who determines that the only way to give his life meaning is to take a decisive action, despite the moral consequences. Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) is the newest addition to the philosophy department of a small town campus in Rhode Island. Abe, who once was an idealist and is now certain of his inability to change the world, has a reputation that precedes him. Most of the student and the faculty have heard a whole host of rumors before they ever even see Abe. Once he arrives, any remaining delusions of grandeur unceremoniously disappear. Quickly revealing himself as an alcoholic, even carrying a flask around with him on campus, it is clear Abe lives his life with a deflated ego and an extreme case of nihilism. His many quibbles with the world and his profession keep Abe from being an effective professor, or an acceptable romantic partner. Despite his many downfalls and ego issues, Abe becomes the object of desire for one of his students, Jill Pollard (Emma Stone). Jill is filled with life; she is a good student, a devoted daughter, and a loyal girlfriend until she meets Abe. A standout writer, Jill focuses her talents on her philosophy coursework, captivated by the person teaching as much as what's being taught. Jill can't help herself from falling in love with Abe, leading her to spend as much time with him as she can. Their trysts lead them to a cafe wherein they hear the conversation of a distraught woman sharing her feelings of despair over a judge she perceives as treating her unfairly. Suddenly, Abe secretly decides that the only way to give his life meaning is to end the life of another.Much like Match Point, Irrational Man didn't "feel" as much like a Woody Allen film as I am used to. The problem is, that this film also didn't work as well as Match Point pulled off its "non-Woody feel". There are a lot of problems with Irrational Man, many I suppose must be forgiven by the title. The conversation that acts as the turning point for Abe is a weak plot device. There's no way we can discern if the woman is reliable or if her perception of the events are true, it seems unlikely from all we know about Abe that he would derive pleasure from bringing a stranger happiness, either. The film painstakingly paints Abe as a man that can't commit to those he wishes he could, yet I am supposed to believe that he's willing to invest interest in a complete stranger, then, risk his life for her? The setup was problematic, and it was a bit more problematic for me to believe that a person Woody Allen wants me to know is horrible has two women wishing to romance him. I've mentioned before, this period where Woody seems preoccupied with getting away with murder just doesn't do it for me. The film isn't without its strengths; the Russian roulette scene was fantastic, and the ending was incredible, maybe more so because I don't expect such powerful endings from Woody Allen. This was the final late-period Woody Allen film I had left to see and I hope beyond hope that he's done with this murder plot he's been after the last few films.

Woody! Woody! Woody! Not the most rational humanoid that ever existed, but one thing about legendary filmmaker Woody Allen you have to admit is that his ratio of movies per year is phenomenal- 1/1; yes, one movie per year. Allen's "Irrational Man" stars the not-so-rational actor himself Joaquin Phoenix as Abe Lucas, an alcoholic Philosophy professor who joins up as an adjunct professor at a Connecticut university. Abe has lost lust for life and is very uninspired. At the university, he meets several key players including a Science professor colleague named Rita Richards who lusts for Abe even though she is married. Abe also befriends one of his students named Jill Pollard who admires Abe and this Pollard also wants to pollute Abe's college morals, or lack there of. Allen directs and scribes "Irrational Man" quite well with infamous Woodyisms such as insecurity, jealousy, anxiety, and delirium. And even though it is not one of his classic movies, "Irrational Man" rationalizes itself as a pleasant, quirky viewing. Phoenix shines as Abe. Emma Stone was very good as Pollard, and the very underrated Parker Posey stuck her pleasant thespian pose as Richards. So come one man, give that "Irrational Man" a try. **** Good

Very good addition to Woody Allen's filmography. Thoughtful, intelligent movie unlike anything Hollywood churns out these days. Woody's fingerprints are all over this one and you can just hear him typing away every time the characters speak. Performances are good (not necessarily great). Look for Bette Midler's daughter in a small role. Santo Loquasto's set design and Rhode Island location photography are idyllic. Compared to Allen's other great morality plays (Crimes and Misdemeanors, Match Point, Cassandra's Dream), this one seems a bit over-emphatic, though it remains intriguing and satisfying throughout. There are even several Hitchcock touches thrown in - the unrelated murder from "Strangers on a Train," the philosophical aspects of murder from "Rope" and the final struggle between good and evil from "Shadow of a Doubt." Especially noteworthy are the classroom lectures which question the validity of classic philosophical thought.

Another tick in the box for a Woody Allen film you can like. Not quite a classic but it has its moments and the leads are as good as the are in anything else. In terms of being a comedy, this is not going to make you laugh out loud - its more of a Woody Allen knowing smirk that stays with you throughout. Naturally it is smart, neurotic and melancholy. It plays like Crimes and Misdemeanours lite. So if you liked that one (and why wouldn't you? That one is a classic) then definitely give this a go. Perhaps most interesting as part of the journey leading Emma Stone from Superbad and The House Bunny less than ten years ago to Oscar glory in 2017.