Movie Review: Cassandra's Dream

The Third Installment in Woody Allen's British Trilogy

“Cassandra’s Dream” marks the third and final film in Woody Allen’s British trilogy. The first film being the surprisingly strong, genre defying “Match Point”, and the second being the fluffy, unremarkable “Scoop”. “Cassandra’s Dream” finds itself somewhere in the middle, proving to be one of Allen’s stronger films, but surprisingly predictable in its classical narrative structure.

Wanting What is Just Out of Reach

The film starts with brothers Ian and Terry (Ewan McGregor and Colin Ferrell) considering the purchase of a boat named Cassandra’s Dream, which is just outside of their price range. This sets up the overall theme of the film; a theme of wanting what is just out of reach, and what a person is willing to do to get it.

The Influence of Family

Their desire seems to stem from the admiration their mother (Clare Higgins) has for her rich brother (Tom Wilkinson). A dinner conversation early in the film features the mother discussing the importance of her brother, and how he has been the backbone of their family when her husband has been unable to support them financially. An almost ironic comment is then made that family is the most important thing. The rest of the film almost works as a counterpoint to the latter statement; detailing exactly how ambition and money is stronger than blood.

Woody Allen's Direction is a Strong Point in Cassandra's Dream

Allen’s direction is well framed, highly calculated, and very distant in this film. The audience is rarely treated to a close-up, or really any sort of allowance into the core of characters, or the film itself. We are kept on the outside looking in at these inherently tragic brothers, never allowed to identify with them for what appears to be the purpose of analysis. The overall didactic of the film is more important than identification or involvement.

Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell Turn in Great Performances

Farrell and McGregor both turn in fine performances, Ewan McGregor as the determined Ian being a little stronger and more consistent. Ian is a man desperate to live beyond his means. His morality is easily swayed for the right price, and he is willing to do just about anything to get what he wants. McGregor handles a dark, borderline sociopath character with a charm and a balance that few actors could pull off successfully. Colin Farrell as the more sensitive and less intelligent Terry, does a decent job, but offers little insight into his character aside from what is on the page.

Tom Wilkinson Delivers the Standout Performance

The standout performance comes from Tom Wilkinson who deserves recognition in his role here as a rich uncle willing to destroy his family in order to protect his money. It is a disturbing and well layered performance as he is a man clearly out to protect himself, but has to at least feign interest in his sister and her children.

Woody Allen's Script is Relatively One-Note

Allen’s script is decent, but the one-note evolution of the brothers’ relationship makes for repetitive conflicts, and an often bored viewer. More care to variance and external interaction with secondary characters could have added some dimension to the film.

A Failure or a Success?

Many will dismiss this "Cassandra's Dream" as another Woody Allen failure, but may miss what he appears to be doing here. This is one of the most carefully structured and intentionally tragic Allen films to date. It holds up well to other recent British tragedies like "London to Brighton" and "And When Did You Last See Your Father".

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