Café Society (2016)

Engaging comedy-drama written and directed by Woody Allen. 

It’s the 1930s. Bobby Dorfman (Jesse Eisenberg) goes to Hollywood and gets a job working for his Uncle Phil (Steve Carell). He falls in love with Phil’s secretary Veronica/Vonnie (Kristen Stewart), not realising that she’s already dating someone else – a married man Bobby knows all too well…

The various plot threads play out in a satisfying manner. The film is a slow-burning romance that sensitively explores the “what ifs” of love. 

It’s a fairly low-key film. There are some funny moments, often relating to Bobby’s gangster brother Ben (Corey Stoll). It’s good at showing the contrast between the cultures of California and New York. As always, Woody Allen does an expert job with the nuts and bolts of storytelling, pacing, characterisation and dialogue. 

Kristen Stewart is absolutely spot on as the much-in-demand and conflicted Vonnie.

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