Cassandra's Dream (2007)

Director:

Woody Allen

Writer (WGA):

Woody Allen (written by)

Release Date:

26 October 2007 (Spain)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

How far will you go to make your dreams come true?

Plot:

The tale of two brothers with serious financial woes. When a third party proposes they turn to crime, things go bad and the two become enemies.

Plot Keywords:

Brother Brother Relationship | Surgeon | Loan Shark | Dog Racing | Hotel

Cast

Ewan McGregor	...	Ian
Colin Farrell	...	Terry
Peter-Hugo Daly	...	Boat Owner
John Benfield	...	Father
Clare Higgins	...	Mother
Ashley Madekwe	...	Lucy
Andrew Howard	...	Jerry
Hayley Atwell	...	Angela Stark
Sally Hawkins	...	Kate
Keith Smee	...	Terry's Track Mate
Stephen Noonan	...	Mel
Dan Carter	...	Fred
Richard Lintern	...	Director
Jennifer Higham	...	Helen
Lee Whitlock	...	Mike

Also Known As:

Rêve de Cassandre, Le (France)

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA | UK | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:6 | Finland:K-11 | Portugal:M/16 | Hong Kong:IIA | Canada:14A | Taiwan:PG-12 | Brazil:14 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Singapore:PG | Ireland:12A | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43051)

Filming Locations:

7 Barlby Road, Kensington, London, England, UK

Company:

Iberville Productions

Trivia:

Colin Farrell said in an interview that he "think[s] [he] did as many takes for this whole film as I did for one scene in Miami Vice (2006)."

Goofs:

Continuity: The ashtray and the cigarette pack keep appearing and disappearing on the table when Terry is eating with his whole family in the beginning of the movie.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2008-01-19)" (2008)

Suspenseful and engaging film from Woody Allen

This film is about two brothers having to resort to criminal means in order to get funds to pay off loans and to pursue dreams.

Continuing with Woody Allen's infatuation with Britain, "Cassandra's Dream" is set in Britain with a predominantly British cast. Ewan McGregor is a rising star with great plans for the future, while Colin Farrell is a messed up guy who drinks and gambles excessively. Both of these brothers are convincingly introduced and portrayed. Their bond with each other, their past childhood, hopes and dreams are presented, making them very believable and real as people. When they are faced with a moral dilemma, the role seems to be reversed. As a result of this well written and executed plot, I find this film engaging and suspenseful.

I particularly like the moral struggle, and the contrast between the two brothers that play against their stereotype. Colin Farrell is particularly great in this film, his portrayal of a depressed person is convincing and moving.

It is also striking that Woody Allen has very much toned down the paranoia in "Cassandra's Dream". I miss the comedic paranoia such as "Anything Else". However, "Cassandra's Dream" is still very much a Woody Allen film, with the same witty and crisp dialogs, and right to the point scenes.

I find "Cassandra's Dream" very entertaining and gripping.