Geliebte Aphrodite (1995)

Geliebte Aphrodite: Directed by Woody Allen. With Pamela Blair, Rene Ceballos, Elie Chaib, George De La Pena. When he discovers his adopted son is a genius, a New York sportswriter seeks out the boy’s birth mother: a ditzy porn star and prostitute.

“I have just watched Woody Allenu0026#39;s magnificent movie again for the first time in almost 10 years and am more convinced than ever that it is one of his most under-rated films (but then, how do you judge an artist – by his individual works or by the overall body of his work?). And if suddenly I feel I am getting too serious here, letu0026#39;s just say that this is a very funny film.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBy now there is no escaping the fact that Woody Allenu0026#39;s films are largely autobiographical in that he uses what is happening in his own life to fuel his storylines. For an audience this is sometimes only apparent in hindsight as the tabloids are quick to exploit Woodyu0026#39;s foibiles. But he beats us to it, and for that reason u0026quot;Mighty Aphroditeu0026quot; deals us a killer blow – it is very, very funny but in dealing with adoption, children and in marriages on the verge it is also very moving. I laughed till I cried (the juxtaposition of the Greek chorus with the contemporaneous is a brilliant device) and finally I just cried.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAs to the movie itself, it is beautifully photographed and brilliantly edited (and with some inspired choreography) and acted to the highest order: (Helena Bonham-Carter standing in for Mia Farrow just as well as Kenneth Branagh stood in for the Woodmeister in u0026quot;Celebrityu0026quot; – and how incestuous can we get here). But the final word has to go to Mira Sorvino who is funny, touching and inspired. Sometimes (not often) the Academy gets it right and her Oscar was one of their finest hours.”