Overview
A bittersweet exploration of love and regret set against the backdrop of New York City.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- melancholic
- romantic
- reflective evening
- classic cinema night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Manhattan as a beautifully shot, sharply written early classic that balances sophisticated bittersweet humor with romanticism and excellent performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Isaac's writing and self-image are both organized around a romanticized vision of Manhattan, while the city’s relationships expose his vanity and confusion.
Isaac continually explains or reframes his relationships, career decisions, and attraction to Tracy rather than confronting their implications directly.
The Isaac, Mary, Yale, Tracy, and Jill relationships generate sophisticated comedy while remaining painful and unresolved in emotional terms.
The black-and-white cinematography gives Manhattan’s bridges, streets, apartments, and skyline a timeless, romanticized presence.
Films like Manhattan, and why
Annie Hall
Shared bittersweet romantic comedy, neurotic intellectual protagonist, urban relationship entanglements, and autobiographical-feeling humor.
Hannah and Her Sisters
Shared witty relationship drama, morally complicated romance, sophisticated metropolitan setting, and emotionally ambivalent tone.
The Last Days of Disco
Shared black-and-white urban romanticism, self-aware intellectual characters, and melancholy comedy about unstable relationships.
Metropolitan
Shared talkative New York relationship comedy, literary pretension, and restless characters navigating romantic and sexual confusion.
Movie Details
- Director
- Woody Allen
- Release Date
- 1979-04-25
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (2683)
Cast
- Woody Allen
- Diane Keaton
- Michael Murphy
- Mariel Hemingway
- Meryl Streep
- Anne Byrne Hoffman
- Karen Ludwig
- Michael O'Donoghue
- Gary Weis
- Kenny Vance
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Manhattan about?
- A neurotic Manhattan writer navigates an ethically tangled love life while trying to reconcile his romantic image of the city with his own flawed behavior.
- What is Manhattan like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Manhattan as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Manhattan violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Manhattan.
- What did critics think of Manhattan?
- Critics broadly regard Manhattan as a beautifully shot, sharply written early classic that balances sophisticated bittersweet humor with romanticism and excellent performances.
- Which films are like Manhattan?
- Films with a similar feel include Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters, The Last Days of Disco, and Metropolitan.
- How long is Manhattan?
- Manhattan runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Manhattan?
- In United States, Manhattan is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
