I'm not a huge fan of Woody Allen's movies after Manhattan Murder Mystery, but I loved Manhattan Murder Mystery. Yes, there was the murder mystery of course, but also the relationship and chemistry between the main characters (Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Alan Alda, Anjelica Houston). Whilst I haven't been to NY, I want to visit the place and see where it was filmed!! The twist in the plot line was intriguing and unexpected. The tape recorder scene at the end is one of the funniest scenes in movie history without a doubt. I laughed out loud big time and kudos to the editor. I'm pleased to have Manhattan Murder Mystery on DVD and I can watch this movie over and over again.

This is one of Woody Allen's later comedies that I enjoy much more than his earlier, more highly acclaimed "Annie Hall." For one thing, "Manhattan Murder Mystery" has plot. Lots of it. But it's too drawn out toward the end. Tighter directing and editing jobs would easily raise this film another notch. The cast and their performances are all good. And, for once, Woody Allen's role (as Larry Lipton) doesn't grate on the nerves. He's still the whining, complaining persona, but toned down quite a lot. The script is much better with some very witty and funny lines that diminish the unnerving aspect of his character. So, I enjoyed this film much more, and had a number of good laughs. The humor is mostly in the dialog. Along with Woody and his usual female lead, Diane Keaton (as wife, Carol), this film has some nice cast additions in Alan Alda as Ted, Anjelica Huston as Marcia and others. Here's a sample of some funny lines from the film. Larry says to Carol, "I can't listen to that much Wagner, you know. I start to get the urge to conquer Poland."Ted, in the conversation at dinner on a group night out "This would be a really great way to kill somebody. You clog their arteries with whipped cream ... chocolate mousse ... butter. They go like that." Joy Behar, as Marilyn, adds, "I'd like to French-pastry myself to death right now."Larry, on retiring for the night with Carol, "Remind me tomorrow to buy up all the Wagner records in town … and rent a chain saw."Carol, "Larry, he had her cremated." Larry, "How do you know it was her? Did the ashes resemble Mrs. House?"Carol, "I don't know why you're not more fascinated with this. I mean, we could be living next door to a murderer, Larry." Larry, "Well, New York is a melting pot. I'm used to it."Larry, "Yes, I know I'm a bore because I don't break the law. You know, I live within the Constitution, so I'm dull."Ted, "I'm gonna be late for my shrink."Larry, walking with Carol down the hall of a residence hotel, "Very nice. I love a hotel that's got lots blue powder sprinkled along the baseboards."Larry to Carol, "You don't have to see your shrink. There's nothing wrong with you that can't be cured with a little Prozac and a polo mallet."Incidentally, 1993 was a truly great year for films with much competition for awards. So, this Woody Allen film didn't receive any awards or a single nomination. But that's nothing to detract from the film in a year that saw such great ones as "Schindler's List," "In the Name of the Father," "The Remains of the Day," "Philadelphia," "What's Love Got to Do with It," "Shadowlands," "The Fugitive," "The Age of Innocence;" and a host of other very good movies. Had "Annie Hall," half of this competition in 1977, I doubt it would have won a single Oscar. But, if "Manhattan Murder Mystery" had been up in the same year as "Annie Hall," I think it would have beat "Annie" out in awards. As several other reviewers noted, when comparing them side by side, "Manhattan" is by far a funnier and more entertaining movie.

With having found myself over the last few months unwittingly putting films of Woody Allen right at the back of the line of my "must watch" pile of movies,I decided shortly after finding out that a poll for the best films of 1993 was being held on IMDb's Classic Film board,that I would instantly put Woody Allen's 1993 right at the front,so that I could at last uncover the mysterious Manhattan murder.The plot:Returning to their apartment building after watching a game of hookey, husband and wife Larry and Carol Lipton run into near by residents,and fellow husband and wife,Paul and Lilian House.Making small talk with Paul and Lilian as they find themselves in the building's elevator with them,Larry and Carol are caught by surprise when Paul and Lilian suddenly invite them round for a late night coffee.Ignoring her husbands less then subtle signs of annoyance,Carol accepts the House's kind offer.As Larry gets bored out of existence by Paul showing him all of his stamp collection,Carol finds every minute that she spends with Lilian to be a true joy,who along with having a similar craving that Carol has for French deserts,is also very keen on her at- home gym,which leads to Carol greatly admiring Lilian,due to how amazingly fit and healthy she looks.The next night:Coming back from a night spent at the opera,Carol and Paul's fun night is stopped in its tracks,when they are given the tragic news the earlier that night,Lilian House had died of a heart attack.Feeling shaken over not just the death of her friend,but also the very odd,calm manner that Paul seemed to be in,Carol pushes Larry's reasoning that Paul is just grieving in a "different" manner right to the side,and begins to wonder if the thing that killed Lilian House was really a heart attack,or something much more sinister?...View on the film:Picking up a sub-plot that was originally meant for the duo's 1977 movie Annie Hall that got cut from the script due to feeling out of place with the rest of the plot,the screenplay by Marshall Brickman and co- writer/actor and director auteur Woody Allen impressively keep the movie away from every feeling dusty by cleverly balancing a tightly-coiled, surprisingly thrilling murder-mystery with characters like Carol Lipton,who will go to increasingly insane leginths to prove that their "hunch" is correct.Shooting the film in a "floating", non-shaky Cam style,Allen gives the movie a wonderful fresh atmosphere,with the scenes that Larry and Carol share together having an expert,improve-like feel about them,which helps to give each of Allen's and Brickman's lines (with "I cant listen to that much Wagner ya know.I start to get the urge to invade to conquer Poland!",being a particularly hilarious highlight) a real sharpness.Along with the crisp one-liners,Allen also gives the movie some terrific sly nods to Film Noir,from going to see Double Imdematey at a cinema,to an extremely stylish ending ,that has strong shades of 1947 Orson Welles Film Noir The Lady from Shanghai.Reuniting for the first time since 1979,Woody Allen and Diane Keaton both give strong performance's which set out to prove,that despite not appear on screen together for more than 10 years,neither of them has lost the other ones rhythm.Bounceing off a wonderfully agitated Allen,who would much rather be in bed then going round amateur sleuthing,Keaton shows Carol to be someone with an electrifying,and risky personality,who cant resits keeping away from solving the Manhattan murder mystery.

This movie started out great but after about an hour and a half (after a body is found) it deteriorates into garbage.Woody still managed to make me laugh from time to time but sorry a lot of this film was contrived and badly written and not like the Woody Allen I remember.These aging actors just can't convincingly pull off badly scripted marital jealousies and drama. Seriously at 57 (the age of Allen in film) he is wondering how often a couple should have sex? Only it is not supposed to be funny in that way.The worst part is the parody of a film noir murder mystery deteriorates into a frenetic unbelievable tired terrible last half hour. At least good film noir mysteries had captivating and somewhat believable stories this film did not. It is not funny it is nothing but boring and contrived. These aged reunions are usually a depressing flop and this was no exception.