I remember seeing the poster for this 90s movie in several places and became most interested in seeing it at some point, I was glad when I got the opportunity to do so, written and directed by Woody Allen (Sleeper, Annie Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Blue Jasmine). Basically, in the ancient theatre in Taormina, Sicily, a Greek chorus introduces and narrates the story of Lenny Weinrib (Woody Alen), a sportswriter living in Manhattan, New York City. Lenny is married to the ambitious art curator, Amanda Sloan (Helena Bonham Carter). Their marriage has hit a rough patch because Amanda is concentrating on opening her own gallery and mingling with people that Lenny does not like much. Lenny also suspects that Amanda's current boss Jerry Bender (RoboCop's Peter Weller) is trying to take her away from him. The couple want a child and decide to adopt as it was less of a disruption, especially for Amanda who arranged everything. The couple adopts a baby boy, they have a long discussion about suitable names and settle on Max (Tucker Robin). Two years pass, Lenny and Amanda have moved into a bigger apartment, and Max (Nolan Tuffy) has been a bright light in their personal life. By the time Max has started school, it becomes evident that he is a remarkably gifted child in the genius category. Intrigued, Lenny becomes curious to find Max's biological mother. The records are sealed about her identity, but he finds out she is a single woman. Soon, he becomes obsessed and goes on an extensive search without Amanda's knowledge. Through some sources, Lenny believes that she must be an actress, after meeting with an Extras Guild Researcher (Paul Giamatti) who recognises her. However, after tracking down her routes and meeting previous employers, it turns out she is a prostitute and part-time porn star who goes by various names. Finally, he tracks her down, going by the name Linda Ash (Oscar and Golden Globe winning, and BAFTA nominated Mira Sorvino). Rather than reveal his true intentions, he hires her as an escort, and they meet at her apartment. Linda turns out to be blonde and dumb but is sweet and beautiful. During their conversation, she reveals her birth name as Leslie Ash, but she prefers to be called Linda because it means 'pretty' in Spanish. He has no desire to engage in any intimate activities, instead encouraging her to leave her current lifestyle behind, including her pimp, and to pursue a more wholesome life and real acting career. Linda reacts angrily, returning Lenny's money and demanding that he leave. Lenny is undeterred and determined to befriend Linda and improve her circumstances. He meets with her again and invites her to lunch and they have further conversation, during which she reveals more about herself before her current circumstances. Lenny helps Linda to get away from her abusive pimp, Ricky (Dan Moran), and wants to transform her into the vision of what Max's biological mother should be, meaning getting her into a respectable career and finding her a man that she can start a family with. During a visit to a boxing gymnasium, Lenny meets equally dim-witted farmer's assistant Kevin (Michael Rapaport). Meanwhile, Lenny and Amanda's marriage is faltering because of his preoccupation with Linda, Amanda's career ambitions and her affair with Jerry. Lenny arranges for Linda and Kevin to go on a date, they go for dinner together and seem to be well-suited to each other. But their relationship is soured when he discovers her pornography career. Lenny comforts her following their breakup, and she finally confesses that she had a child that she gave up for adoption. Meanwhile, Amanda eventually confesses her affair with Jerry and admits that she wants them to have a real relationship. Lenny and Linda find solace in each other following their respective breakups and end up kissing and sleeping together. However, the following day, Lenny reconciles with Amanda, realising that they are still deeply in love. Linda meanwhile tries to win back Kevin but is unsuccessful. While driving back to the city, she sees a helicopter landing and offers a lift to the pilot, Don (Bray Poor). The Greek chorus reveals that Linda and Don are later married, however, she becomes pregnant with Lenny's child. A year later, Lenny is with Max and Linda is with her baby daughter, and they meet by chance in a toy store. Linda expresses her gratitude to Lenny for his help, not revealing he is her child's father, but leaving him stunned, seemingly aware of it. The film concludes with the Greek chorus performing a lively song and dance routine. Also starring F. Murray Abraham as the Greek Chorus Leader, Claire Bloom as Amanda's Mother, Olympia Dukakis as Jocasta, David Ogden Stiers as Laius, Jack Warden as Tiresias, Yvette Hawkins as School Principal, and Donald Symington as Amanda's Father. Allen plays his usual likeable neurotic and talkative character, Bonham Carter as the (American) wife in a crumbling marriage is good, and Abraham is amusing as the wise-cracking leader of the Greek chorus, but obviously Sorvino stands out with her award-winning performance as the ditzy hooker lacking brain cells but a kind-hearted personality. The story is supposed to be like a Greek tragedy, hence the odd narration and occasionally unnecessary interruptions by the chorus group, but I didn't mind the ending musical routine. It is fair to say that this is not up there with Allen's great films, but he directs well, and his script has some witty stuff, a worthwhile comedy. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for Woody Allen. Good!
Review of Mighty Aphrodite
