Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Hannah and Her Sisters is one of my all-time favorite movies. If you don’t watch it for the first time, end the film in tears and declare, “Oh! What a gem!” I don’t know what to do with you.
Mia Farrow is Hannah. She’s married to Michael Caine, but he’s got a crush on her sister Barbara Hershey, who’s involved with the brilliant introvert Max von Sydow. Mia’s other sister, Dianne Wiest is a recovering drug addict with a floundering career and love life. Mia’s ex-husband is Woody Allen, and in-between visits to see their children and emergencies at his Saturday Night Live-esque television program, he worries about his health. While the subject matter of this Woody Allen film is decidedly heavy, the characters are so delightful you won’t be able to contain your giggles.
As often happens in Woody Allen movies, the supporting actors won Oscars, and while you might have been rooting for someone from Platoon that year, you’ll have to admit Michael Caine and Dianne Wiest were totally adorable in Hannah and Her Sisters. Both are given ample “Oscar clips” in the film, and both have tearful scenes that will no doubt put a lump in your throat. Personally, I have no problem with the Academy’s choices that year, but I might be a little biased. I absolutely love Michael Caine, and one of his lines, “I’m walking on air!” has become a household phrase of mine.
The familiar themes of many Woody Allen films are alive and well in Hannah and Her Sisters, and if you’ve never seen one of his movies, this is a great one to start with. Among the laughter, there are moral dilemmas, infidelity, pondering the universe, depression, and family tensions. There’s also a pretty big cast, so be on the lookout for Maureen O’Sullivan, Lloyd Nolan, Sam Waterston, Carrie Fisher, Daniel Stern, Julie Kavner, John Turturro, a very young Richard Jenkins, and an even younger Lewis Black.
I can’t recommend this movie highly enough. No matter what mood you’re in, it’ll cheer you up or maintain your high spirits. It’s a true gem, and after you watch it, whether it’s the first or fiftieth time, I guarantee you’ll be walking on air.
More Michael Caine movies here!
More Mia Farrow movies here!
More Sam Waterston movies here!
Mia Farrow is Hannah. She’s married to Michael Caine, but he’s got a crush on her sister Barbara Hershey, who’s involved with the brilliant introvert Max von Sydow. Mia’s other sister, Dianne Wiest is a recovering drug addict with a floundering career and love life. Mia’s ex-husband is Woody Allen, and in-between visits to see their children and emergencies at his Saturday Night Live-esque television program, he worries about his health. While the subject matter of this Woody Allen film is decidedly heavy, the characters are so delightful you won’t be able to contain your giggles.
As often happens in Woody Allen movies, the supporting actors won Oscars, and while you might have been rooting for someone from Platoon that year, you’ll have to admit Michael Caine and Dianne Wiest were totally adorable in Hannah and Her Sisters. Both are given ample “Oscar clips” in the film, and both have tearful scenes that will no doubt put a lump in your throat. Personally, I have no problem with the Academy’s choices that year, but I might be a little biased. I absolutely love Michael Caine, and one of his lines, “I’m walking on air!” has become a household phrase of mine.
The familiar themes of many Woody Allen films are alive and well in Hannah and Her Sisters, and if you’ve never seen one of his movies, this is a great one to start with. Among the laughter, there are moral dilemmas, infidelity, pondering the universe, depression, and family tensions. There’s also a pretty big cast, so be on the lookout for Maureen O’Sullivan, Lloyd Nolan, Sam Waterston, Carrie Fisher, Daniel Stern, Julie Kavner, John Turturro, a very young Richard Jenkins, and an even younger Lewis Black.
I can’t recommend this movie highly enough. No matter what mood you’re in, it’ll cheer you up or maintain your high spirits. It’s a true gem, and after you watch it, whether it’s the first or fiftieth time, I guarantee you’ll be walking on air.
More Michael Caine movies here!
More Mia Farrow movies here!
More Sam Waterston movies here!