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Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston, Jerry Adler ... see more see more... , Joy Behar , Ron Rifkin , Lynn Cohen , Al Cerullo , John Doumanian , Gloria Irizarry , Sylvia Kauders , Philip Levy , Frank Pellegrino , Wendell Pierce , Steve Randazzo , Marge Redmond , Aida Turturro , Ira Wheeler , George Mason , Linda Taylor , Juliet Taylor , Yanni Sfinias , Zach Braff , John Costello

There's a real murder and a real mystery in Woody Allen's Manhattan Murder Mystery, but these plot pegs are used mainly to allow Allen to explore modern urban relationships. Allen plays a N.Y.C. book ... read more read more...editor, Larry Lipton, married to Carol (Diane Keaton, who replaced Mia Farrow at the last minute, for reasons well publicized at the time). Carol is a free spirit, ever willing to try new experiences, but Larry is a wet blanket. When it begins to look like a neighbor has killed his wife, Carol is eager to investigate the mystery, but Larry thinks her suspicions are nonsensical and doesn't want to leave his apartment. Undaunted, Carol finds another "Nick Charles" in the form of family friend Ted (Alan Alda), who joins the investigation, and feels attracted to Carol and isn't afraid to let her know. Meanwhile, a writer under Larry's aegis (Anjelica Huston), who feels romantically drawn to him, also decides to join in the fun. Slightly jealous of Carol in the face of her budding relationship with Ted, Larry reluctantly agrees to go along on her clue-hunting expedition -- and it is he who discovers the corpse, who as it turns out was killed after Carol started poking around the apartment building. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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81% liked it

16,561 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

23 critics

PG, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Woody Allen

Release Date: August 18, 1993

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DVD Release Date: December 15, 1998

Stats: 723 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (723)

  • FrizzDrop
    March 1, 2012
    FrizzDrop
    One of Allen's greatest nineties' films, his bulk of work is neurotic comedies and iffy dramas. He has hit some home runs with the very subtle Crimes and Misdemeanors and classics such as Manhattan and Annie Hall. What keeps this film fresh is the fact that it's so realistic in t... read morehe way it handles both the way the older couple investigated the supposed murder of their neighbor, and the backstory and look into the relationship between them. The couple who live across the hall from an old couple (Allen and Keaton) are starting their golden years together in cute seclusion, almost as an extension of Annie Hall's storyline, except now the couple has fallen into easy boredom with each other. Keaton's niche as kooky or quirky makes this film work well, as she runs around trying to solve a crime which might not even have happened. What makes this so great as well is the electricity and childlike glee of the ensemble as they find clues and piece together the events of the murder. They act like clumsy teenagers all along the way, and yet there is a bitter hostility between every one of these characters as they realize their fate and servitude as married people. Along with the couple are Alan Alda and Anjelica Huston, who both co-starred in an earlier Allen film called Crimes and Misdemeanors, which was a sharp drama. This was very sweet, a little guarded with the inter-personal relationships between every character, but the plot was delicious. I could have eaten up every morsel as we went along, hanging on the words of the saucy Anjelica Huston and the morbid Diane Keaton. It's an ensemble work in short, and is really more of a film for experienced middle aged individuals who are fans of the director's, and I'm guessing that's who he made it for, besides being a love letter to New York, as many of his films are.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 9, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    I don't claim to be a Woody Allen film expert by any means. I've only seen a handle of his films (as of this writing), but I tend to enjoy them every single time I see them. Maybe it's because Woody Allen is so much fun to watch, especially with the onscreen chemistry between him... read more and Diane Keaton. Manhattan Murder Mystery probably isn't one of his better films, but it has the Woody Allen touches all over it. It's also a very intriguing mystery that has some geniunely creepy moments mixed with side-splitting nervous dialogue and performances. It's also fun to see who pops up in his films. This time around, we're treated to Alan Alda and Angelica Huston, two great ones. The plotline is a little bit ridiculous at times, but not wholly unbelievale. Just unlikely and ironic. Diane Keaton also gives a near-catatonic perfomance as the nosey neighbor. I felt exhausted after seeing this film, but I really enjoyed it. It's got a very good lead cast, an interesting story, and of course, Woody Allen himself. I guess one couldn't ask for much more.
  • axadntpron
    June 14, 2011
    axadntpron
    An intriguing blend of mystery and comedy. Feels like Alvy and Annie got old and moved in next door to a possible murderer. Clearly a love letter to the classic thrillers of Billy Wilder and Orson Welles. Utilizes a lot of the great hand held camera work that we saw in 1992's Hus... read morebands and Wives. However, the characters feel very underdeveloped. On top of this, even though there are some incredible one liners, the comedy is inconsistant. While I am not expecting a laugh a minute in my films, some more comedic breaks could have been utilized to break up the incredibly absurd mystery. Although certainly not his best work, it is worth a watch.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    April 24, 2009
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    ''Claustrophia and a dead body - this is a neurotic's jackpot''

    A middle-aged couple suspects foul play when their neighbor's wife suddenly drops dead.

    REVIEW

    Nice re-pairing of one of cinema's bes... read moret comedy duos, has great location shooting, an amazing visual ending and some of Allen's best one liners. Alan Alda and Angelica Huston provide feisty support, especially Alda, who's quite playful here. While this is basically a long running gag about being nosy and suspicious, there is an undercurrent of seriousness below the goofy parts about growing older and livening up the duller routines of life. While it's not recommended to spy on your neighbors to see if they're killers or not, having an adventure with the person you've been married to a long time is something to consider; be it just around the corner or somewhere unfamiliar. That aside, this is a lively counterpart to Allen's previous Husbands and Wives, which was filled with bitterness inside its rich comic moments, as well as a pleasant diversion. It's really refreshing seeing Allen and Keaton together as a lovable couple, with no one cheating on each other, although a few slight scenes do discuss some hidden jealousies and insecurities. Keaton has some of her best bits being a snoop here and this may qualify as one of her better comic roles. Plus she always has the best clothes. Only she could carry off that wardrobe of hers. Look briefly for that Zach actor from Scrubs in a very small scene as the couple's son. You might blink and miss him.
  • thmtsang
    January 31, 2009
    thmtsang
    Couple find themsleves in a murder mystery. Good cast.
  • jennifxu
    June 26, 2007
    jennifxu
    definitely not woody allen's greatest contribution to cinema, but makes up for the slightly ridiculous plot and unrounded characters by supplying me with absolutely terrific humor.
  • hypathio7
    September 28, 2009
    hypathio7
    Allen and Keaton still have excellent chemistry as Mr. and Mrs. Lipton! Each is worried the other is falling for someone else though. They meet Mr. and Mrs. House, a neighboring older couple down the hall. Shortly after, Mrs. House is dead. Keaton immediately begins suspectin... read moreg that something is not right with Mr. House's way of going on with his life. Allen's delivery of one liners and neurotic manner serve him well, since he wants nothing to do with inventing elaborate explanations for how Mrs. House might really have died. The Lipton's mutual friend, Ted, played by Alda is Keaton's confidant. Keaton and Alda, who is a writer and fancies himself a kind of Humphrey Bogart, have vivid imaginations and find it thrilling in this part of their lives to play detectives. Well, it is not all in Keaton's head. Huston is another writer who is having a book published by Allen and on a double date she too helps figure out how to catch the murderer. Jerry Adler as Mr. House channels Raymond Burr from Rear Window well. It is obvious with one Woody Allen picture after another that he loves and respects other classic filmmakers!
  • fb100001266995067
    October 18, 2011
    fb100001266995067
    It does just enough to keep you into it, no more no less.
  • fb20312798
    July 26, 2010
    fb20312798
    It combines the 'couple in the midst of a midlife crisis' plot that were in most of Allen's films from this time along with some of his goofier sensiblities from his earlier stuff. The result is a light movie, but its fun and having Woody Allen and Diane Keaton back together on s... read morecreen is really wonderful.
  • zeravenyoej
    June 1, 2007
    zeravenyoej
    Glad to see Diane and Woody reunited.

View All Manhattan Murder Mystery Reviews

Critic Reviews

S. Jhoanna Robledo
February 15, 2012
S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media

Witty Woody Allen film about marriage and maybe murder. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
December 26, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

A minor-league Allen, an amiable romp that, like The Thin Man, tries to blend suspense with marital comedy, not always successfully. Full Review

David Nusair
August 1, 2003
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...Woody Allen at his best.

Ken Hanke
February 2, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Terrific Woody Allen thrill comedy with the great Keaton co-starring as a plus.

Dan Lybarger
December 17, 2002
Dan Lybarger, Kansas City Star

A deft blend of humor and suspence. It's almost as if Allen missed his calling to direct thrillers.

Bob Bloom
November 3, 2002
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

A cute Allen comedy; not one of his classics, but has some inspired moments.

Scott Weinberg
July 25, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

A frequently funny flick that reminds one of the younger, odder Woody Allen.

Chris Hicks
January 1, 2000
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City

The Woodman is back and he's in rare form. Manhattan Murder Mystery is Woody Allen's first flat-out comedy in years. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Todd McCarthy
March 30, 2011
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

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Facts

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    • Larry Lipton: Claustrophobia and a dead body: This is the neurotic jackpot.
    • Marcia Fox: You're taking me to dinner, right?
    • Ted: Right, absolutely! Only we can't sleep together, not tonight.
    • Marcia Fox: Why not?
    • Ted: Well, because I already slept with Helen Moss once today, and I'm not young and active like I used to be.
    • Marcia Fox: You'll do anything to catch a murderer, won't you?
    • Ted: Mmm-hmm.
    • Carol Lipton: I know. Can you believe this guy in Indiana? Killed twelve victims, dismembered them and ate them.
    • Larry Lipton: Really? Well, it's an alternative lifestyle.
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Manhattan Murder Mystery Trivia

  • In the movie Manhattan Murder Mystery, what object does Carol (Diane Keaton) leave behind in the "killer's" apartment?  Answer »
  • this quote: "I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland." is from what Woody Allen movie?  Answer »
  • Which Woody Allen film does NOT feature Mia Farrow?  Answer »
  • Who was the lead actress in Woody Allen's Manhattan Murder Mystery?  Answer »
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