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Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey, Dianne Wiest, Carrie Fisher ... see more see more... , Michael Caine , Maureen O'Sullivan , Lloyd Nolan , Max von Sydow , Daniel Stern , Paul Bates , Lewis Black , Maria Chiara , Christian Clemenson , John Doumanian , Joanna Gleason , Richard Jenkins , Julie Kavner , Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Fred Melamed , Helen Miller , Benno Schmidt , Bobby Short , William Sturgis , J.T. Walsh , Sam Waterston , Ira Wheeler , John Turturro , The 39 Steps , Carrotte , Ken Costigan , Artie DeCheser , Stephen Defluiter , Moses Farrow , Susan Gordon-Clark , Daniel Haber , Verno O. Hobson , Tracy Kennedy , Ivan Kronenfeld , Bernie Leighton , Rusty Magee , Mary Pappas , Beverly Peer , Leo Postrel , Daisy Previn , Fletcher Farrow Previn , Rob Scott

A Woody Allen Manhattan mosaic, Hannah and Her Sisters concerns the lives, loves, and infidelities among a tightly-knit artistic clan. Hannah (Mia Farrow) regularly meets with her sisters Holly (Diann... read more read more...e Wiest) and Lee (Barbara Hershey) to discuss the week's events. It's what they don't always tell each other that forms the film's various subplots. Hannah is married to accountant and financial planner Elliot (Michael Caine), who carries a torch for Lee, who in turn lives with pompous Soho artist Frederick (Max Von Sydow). Meanwhile, Holly, a neurotic actress and eternal loser in love, dates TV producer Mickey (Allen), who used to be married to Hannah and spends most of the film convinced that he's about to die. Appearing in supporting parts are Lloyd Nolan and Maureen O'Sullivan (Farrow's real mom), as the eternally bickering husband-and-wife acting team who are the parents of Hannah and her sisters. The film begins and ends during the family's traditional Thanksgiving dinner, filmed in Farrow's actual New York apartment. Unbilled cameos are contributed by Sam Waterston as one of Wiest's brief amours and Tony Roberts as one of Allen's friends. Hannah and Her Sisters collected Oscars for Michael Caine, Dianne Wiest, and Woody Allen's screenplay. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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28,513 ratings

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42 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Woody Allen

Release Date: February 7, 1986

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DVD Release Date: November 6, 2001

Stats: 1,354 reviews

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Michael Caine in Hannah and Her Sisters Dianne Wiest in Hannah and Her Sisters Woody Allen & Dianne Wiest in Hannah & Her Sisters Dianne Wiest in Hannah and Her Sisters Michael Caine in Hannah and Her Sisters Michael Caine in Hannah and Her Sisters Michael Caine Hannah and Her Sisters Woody Allen and Mia Farrow in Hannah and Her Sisters Dianne Wiest with Oscar for Hannah and Her Sisters Michael Caine in Hannah and Her Sisters Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey and Dianne Wiest in Hannah and Her Sisters Dianne Wiest in Hannah and Her Sisters Michael Caine in Hannah and Her Sisters Dianne Wiest in Hannah and Her Sisters Dianne Wiest & Woody Allen in Hannah and Her Sisters Dianne Wiest in Hannah and Her Sisters Dianne Wiest in Hannah and Her Sisters
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Flixster Reviews (1,354)

  • cosmo313
    October 17, 2011
    cosmo313
    Woody Allen skillyfully blends comedy and drama in this wonderfully observed portrait of the lives, loves, and issues of a close knit family and their significant others over the course of a couple of years.

    Hannah (Mia Farrow) is the oldest child of artistic parents. She's a ... read moresuccessful, kinda, and thoughtful actress, wife, and mother. She's basically the backbone of the family, who both hate and need her. Her two sisters, Holly (Dianne Wiest) and Lee (Barabra Hershey) are more aimless and resent her because of her stabile and successful life, yet the rely on her for support so much that they couldn't possibly truly hate her. However, Hannah begins to realize that she's just as lost as the rest of the world when her life starts to unravel due to sibling rivalry and betrayal.

    This movie has some really serious dramatic moments, but they are nicely balanced out by some terrifically funny stuff involving Woody's character- a hypochondriac in the TV industry who goes through existential and spiritual crises, There's humor with some of the other characters, but the bulk comes from Woody's Mickey. This film has it all: comedy, tragedy, pain, relief, laughs, and tears. It all works wonderfully and reeks of realism and experience. Simply put, this is some truly great writing.

    The performances are also just terrific. The three ladies playing sisters ahev a great rapport together, Woody is great as usual doing his trademark schtick, Michael Caine (who, along with Wiest snagged an Oascar for his work here) is quite good as the husband to won sister who has an affair with one of the other two. Showing up in some nice supporting roles are Carrie Fisher and Max von Sydow, both of whom, despite being supporters, do a good job. I also enjoyed seeing Daniel Stern make a brief appearance, as well as Julie Kavner, who I think pretty much stole the few scenes she was in.

    All in all, this is just an excellent study of human relations, and ranks pretty high as some of Allen's best work. In a way, this almost felt like light opera or super high art, only not as pretentious and more accessible. Even then this won't be for everyone, but if you give it a chance, there's bound to be something here for you to enjoy. Definitely give this one a go.
  • fb100001581602053
    August 28, 2011
    fb100001581602053
    Hannah and Her Sisters is a film with a genuine emotional core and beautifully explores relationships and the meaning of life. Plus, it's hilarious. One of Woody Allen's finest pictures. Like, wow, how do movies get this good?
  • fb619846742
    August 17, 2011
    fb619846742
    An unmistakable masterpiece from the mind of Woody Allen concerning a tight-knit family and their relationships, experiences, and how they cross paths with one another. When a movie packs in hilarious comedy, realistic drama, and a nice touch of philosophical discussion about the... read more meaning of life, all in a tightly run-time of just over 100 minutes, you know a master is at the helms of the project. Allen, as usual, gets the most out of each one of his cast members, especially Michael Caine and Dianne Weist. Woody gives himself the most interesting part about the movie, where his character battles the negative thoughts associated with the possibility of living with a cancerous tumor. With expert narration and sound writing consistently keeping the movie moving at an assured, comfortable pace, and with an ending that takes a nice, happy route, one could argue that this film is Allen's greatest achievement (although I still think "Annie Hall" tops most movies out there, including this one - only slightly, though).
  • FrizzDrop
    March 25, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    A very well rounded scope on the intertwined lives of sisters, their husbands and lovers, and the stress and guilt of affairs, drugs, and home lives. Three completely different sisters, each with their own qualms, are thrust into a world they know nothing about, or have tainted k... read morenowledge of, thanks to their actor parents, always fighting each other with infidelities and liquor. The beauty of how fragile each is in their own way makes for a volcano of emotion that erupts whenever something negative happens, like infertility, infidelity, or lack of talent. Woody Allen directs this as a drama without his usual neurotic comedy stance, and it pays off. Wiest is finally showcased as something other than a maternal presence, but instead the black sheep in a functioning, intellectual family dynamic. Lee is both a hopeless romantic and a cynic, and the center of attention, Hannah, is the oldest sister, in charge of her sisters' lives with an iron fist. It was daring, and yet so simple. It is now my favorite Allen film.
  • lewiskendell
    September 24, 2010
    lewiskendell
    "I know maybe is a very slim reed to hang your whole life on, but that's the best we have."

    Ah, the complicated lives of upper-middle class Manhattanites. The neuroses, the romantic capriciousness and uncertainty, the family dynamics that churn beneath the surface, and the panic... read moreked musings on death and what does or doesn't come after. Hannah and Her Sisters covers familiar territory for Allen, and does it better than some of his attempts and not as well as others. I'd put it between between Manhattan and Annie Hall in terms of how much I liked it. Firmly middle of the pack.

    It's quite clever in some parts, has a happier ending than many of Woody's films, it has a great cast, it isn't always as funny as you might expect, and it's more entertaining on the second go-round. If you're a Woody Allen fan then you'll probably enjoy it at least some, but I'm not confident enough to guess where Hannah and Her Sisters will end up fitting into your personal ranking of the prolific director's movies. Personally, I think it's good, but it narrowly misses out on being among my favorites.
  • guaybanex
    August 6, 2010
    guaybanex
    One of Allen's best along with Annie Hall and Bullets Over Broadway. A sharply written movie about family dynamics. Wiest is outstanding. Allen's loving shots of NY in the 80s are exquisite.
  • MissMorganLeee
    May 15, 2010
    MissMorganLeee
    deffinetly one of Woody Allens more serious movie but funny none the less. I dont really think it can compaire with When Harry Met Sally, or Sleepers but its not bad in its own Woody Allen (serious) type of way. I love Michael Caine...He is always brilliant. and Mia Farrow really... read more needs to keep her hair Short! ;)
  • bottcorecords1
    May 10, 2010
    bottcorecords1
    Woody Allen's directing technique changed a little bit from the 70s to the 80s. Hannah and her Sisters has more of a "Crimes and Misdemeanors" feel than a "Manhattan"- feel. Woody Allen does have a minor role in this film, but the true focus is (surprisingly enough) on Hannah ... read more(Mia Farrow) and her sisters, Holly (Dianne Wiest) and Lee (Barbara Hershey). Hannah is a successful actress, once married to Mickey (Allen), but now married to Eliot (Michael Caine) who, as the film opens, seems unhappy in his marriage and hopelessly in love with Lee. He convinces her to leave her aging artist boyfriend (Max von Sydow) who claims her to be his only link to the outside world, telling her he will leave Hannah. Meanwhile, Holly and her friend April (Carrie Fisher) are struggling actors who want to open a catering business. Holly depends on Hannah's seemingly endless supply of generosity to help her in all her life's endeavors, yet offers her sister only resentment in return. Meanwhile, Mickey becomes convinced he's dying, thinking his hearing loss is related to a brain tumor. There are plenty of biblical undertones running through the film's story, and while Allen still weaves some comedy into the proceedings, it almost feels secondary. Allen's always been an original filmmaker, but he's worn his influences on his sleeve. Hannah and her Sisters feels wholly unique, like Allen's vision undiluted by outside influences. It's a distillation that might be somewhat dry, but still shows what a brilliant director he is.
  • ebs90
    December 25, 2009
    ebs90
    There's a *reason* why Woody Allen is a living icon of cinema. Hannah and her Sisters is not neurotically funny, like Annie Hall, but rather delicate in its humor.

    Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest and Barbara Hershey play three beautiful children of showbusiness facing some serious rela... read moretionship and family issues. Michael Caine plays Hannah's (Farrow) husband, and Woody Allen plays his ex. So I won't give away the whole plot because the beauty of the movie is how it unfolds, and the 16-chapter division, with its cutesy titles. All actors give great performances and give life to very solid characters, even though the movie itself is presented in a rather scattered way. Definitely my favorite aspect is that it plays like a documentary, or a reality show, as most of Woody Allen's movies do. I absolutely love the dialogue... the flow of the conversation and the perfect -and intelligent- choice of everday words. It's nothing less than a terrific and fun movie made during Woody Allen's best hour.
  • ceWEBrity
    November 12, 2009
    ceWEBrity
    This was lovely, and I was so ready to dismiss it because it starts out just like every other fucking Woody Allen film ever, stuffed full of noxious intellectualism and older men dating pretty younger women. Watching this, however, I came to the realization that Allen is sort of ... read morea proto-Diablo Cody, stuffing his screenplays with self-indulgent stylistic references that can distract and grate, but that don't necessarily compromise the quality of what's going on around them. Despite the upper-class white elitism on display here, this is perhaps his most scathing deconstruction of it...although two out of three of the main offenders get what they want here, I'm willing to allow him his concessions, as with Tarantino. The man's a pervert, but he's one who understands people, if Hannah and her Sisters is any indication. His strongest writing is on display here, in a gallery of voluminous, rich characters, deepened by tiny sight gags and quiet moments instead of heavy dialogue. You walk away with detailed portraits of all three sisters and the men who love(d) them.

    I'm glad this came along when it did, because if this hadn't worked I would have just called off my attempts to like Woody Allen entirely. As it is, I still wouldn't call him a favorite, simply because his scope isn't quite what I look for in films. He operates very well in his wheel house, and never better than he does here, though it all would surely be lost without the generosity of all of his performers. Everyone is in top form here; Mia Farrow is downright heartbreaking as a woman whose self-sufficiency actually hurts the people around her; Dianne Wiest exemplifies a woman torn, the victim of pathological bad luck who tries to keep a smile on but can barely fight back the tears; Barbara Hershey has a talent for portraying guilt and longing in the same downcast glance. Michael Caine's rigid joy is almost depressing to watch, even if the character himself isn't terribly sympathetic, and Max von Sydow is surprisingly effective in a very limited role. The only person I didn't care for is - surprise! - Woody Allen. SAME FUCKING CHARACTER. Stay behind the damn camera.

    Also, are there ever any minorities in his movies, or what?

View All Hannah and Her Sisters Reviews

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss
November 21, 2008
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

Its plot has the elegant geometry of a Philip Barry play. Full Review

Dave Kehr
October 10, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Allen's way of setting himself up as a fount of moral wisdom is as insufferable as ever, but at least the preachiness is alleviated by some genuine wit. Full Review

Variety Staff
October 10, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

One of Woody Allen's great films. Indeed, he makes nary a misstep from beginning to end in charting the amorous affiliations of three sisters and their men over a two-year period. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

A dramatic comedy not quite like any other, and one that sets new standards for Mr. Allen as well as for all American movie makers. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Allen's writing and directing style is so strong and assured in this film that the actual filmmaking itself becomes a narrative voice, just as we sense Henry James behind all of his novels, or William... Full Review

Peter Bradshaw
December 22, 2011
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

Caine's performance, so fervent, so agonisingly dedicated, actually gains in force and touching sincerity with the years. Full Review

Gabe Leibowitz
October 14, 2009
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt

The tangled web of relationships is very effectively done, but just as affecting is Allen's portrayal of the city he loves. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
September 14, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The comedy-drama succeeds as a sharply pointed portrait of sibling rivalry. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
February 28, 2008
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Sharply written and extremely well-acted, Allen's serio-comic ensemble-driven saga about one large neurotic family, a huge artistic and commercial hit at the time, is arguably his last great picture. Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf
January 18, 2008
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York

Hannah is the New York of competitive living and, as such, it's as true a city portrait as they come. Full Review

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    • Mickey: The heart is a very, very resilient little muscle.
    • Frederick: If Jesus came back and saw what's going on in his name, he'd never stop throwing up.
    • Mickey: What did you do? Swallow a drugstore?
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Hannah and Her Sisters Trivia

  • Michael Caine won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in which movie?  Answer »
  • Which character actress has these films in common? Hannah and Her Sisters The Lost Boys Edward Scissorhands Little Man Tate  Answer »
  • In the film "Hannah and Her Sisters", Woody Allen's character complains of what...  Answer »
  • What 1986 Woody Allan Film Starred Barbara Hershey, Carrie Fisher, Michael Caine, and Mia Farrow.  Answer »
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