Especially in New York. Could they be involved in a coven of Satanists, a la "Rosemary's Baby", call girls a la " Kkute" or "Nuts"? How about simply just nosy pests who just never leave you alone? Married couple Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are your typical New Yorkers, taking in classic movie retrospectives, hockey games and even the opera. While home, Keaton and Alkwn briefly befriend the neighbors, and are shocked when all of a sudden, the wife dies if an apparent massive coronary. Suspicious Keaton begins to think that the husband knocked off the wife and begins to try to gather evidence to trap him. Typical lighthearted Allen script seems to have been rushed together in the wake of his personal scandals and comes off as forced. Woody has some funny comments on living in New York and the many types of eccentrics from all walks of life. Alan Alda is likable as the neighbor who first makes Keaton suspicious, while Angelica Huston plays an eccentric writer. Movies about Manhattan always utilize classic American songs and vintage location shots of the city as non- human characters. As these movies get older, the location footage just manages to get more nostalgic. Originally, Mia Farrow was to play the Keaton character, but for obvious reasons was replaced by Woody's former girlfriend and 70's co-star whom he hasn't worked with on screen in well over a decade, only using her briefly in "Radio Days". Enjoyable for what it us, this isn't one of Woody's best, being basically plot less and frequently annoying with a rather nervous energy that can be difficult to take.

I remember seeing "Manhattan Murder Mystery" in the theater back in 1993 and enjoying it (it's a great crowd movie); I saw it again today after about 20 years and it still holds up very well. It starts out as only mildly funny, but it gets progressively funnier, and can make you laugh out loud a number of times. The mystery plot is solid as well - this must be one of Woody Allen's strongest films plot-wise. And in the context of a lightweight comedy-murder mystery, Allen sneaks in an examination of a marital relationship, homages to some of his classic film favorites, and his profound love for New York. He also gives generous portions of the comedy to the other actors, Diane Keaton, Alan Alda, and Angelica Huston. As usual, Allen and Keaton make such a great team on the screen that you have to wonder why they haven't worked together again since 1993 - maybe even as the same characters from this film! *** out of 4.

Larry (Woody Allen) and Carol Lipton (Diane Keaton) are a middle age NYC couple. Their next door neighbors are an elderly couple Paul (Jerry Adler) and Lillian House (Lynn Cohen). When Lillian ends up dead, Carol is suspicious of Paul who is a little too perky. Their divorced friend Ted (Alan Alda) helps out causing a bit of jealousy from Larry. Marcia Fox (Anjelica Huston) is a card playing novelist and editor Larry tries to set her up with Ted.The gang is back for a little bit of a murder mystery. It has the fun chemistry of an older Woody and Diane pairing. Woody is his neurotic alter-ego. Diane's driven investigation is charming. They are still hilarious together. The pacing is a steady stream of nervous talking and I do wish that Woody breaks it up with something more intense. It does turn into more of a caper in the end. It's a fine movie for Woody fans.

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.