Amanda Peet, Brooke Smith, Chiwetel Ejiofor

In Woody Allen's film, two writers see the story of a woman who comes undone at a dinner party in different ways -- one as a comedy, the other as a tragedy. Radha Mitchell stars as Melinda in both ver...( read more  read more... )sions; in one, her problems hasten the breakup of her pal Laurel's (Chloe Sevigny and Jonny Lee Miller) marriage, while in the other, she throws another couple, Susan and Hobie (Amanda Peet and Will Ferrell), into a hilarious tizzy.

Flixster Users

47% liked it

1,420 ratings

Critics

53% liked it

149 critics

PG-13, 100 minutes

Directed by: Woody Allen

Release Date: October 9, 2004

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DVD Release Date: October 25, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (214)


  • August 8, 2008
    Woody Allen's weakest film by far...It was so not his style, non-convincing, unreal and wearisome. The performances (by Radha Mitchell, Will Ferrell and Chiwetel Ejiofor to name a few) were as great as they could be, how could they not when Woody Allen has the direction...
    Howe...( read more)ver, this is simply an incomplete in many ways, easily-forgettable and needless film.
  • June 9, 2009
    I assume the premise of the movie came to Woody Allen because that's exactly the duality of how he sees the world: is human existence a comedy or a tragedy? He offers that there are both sides to every story in 'Melinda and Melinda.'

    Uncharacteristically, I am more taken with W...( read more)oody's drama tale this time, with Radha Mitchell in excellent form as a deeply troubled former Park Avenue society wife now trying to get her anxiety-riddled life back on track. On the lighter half, Will Farrell comes off as a rather feeble Woody Allen substitute, filled with the same neuroses and stammerings that defined the director's onscreen image. But then Woody could not fill that role at the age of 70 in this context, so he was wise to seek another actor but the casting just didn't work. There are other problems with casting in one of Woody's lightest-weighted ensembles.

    There are still some good laughs from a few sharp lines and some heart-tugging developments. Am very glad I watched it and worth a look particularly for Radha Mitchell's efforts in a double role, but there are many Woody films that you need to watch more urgently.
  • March 18, 2009
    Pretty cool if someone predictable.
  • February 21, 2009
    Some playwrights get together and then one starts telling a story while the other two see it from both the tragic side and the comic side, which is the basis for the film: one story told as a tragedy and as a comedy. The biggest kudos go to the amount of characters in this and ho...( read more)w they all differ. Radha Mitchell is great as the two Melindas, Chloe Sevigny is also really good. One problem is Will Ferrell, I usually like him but here he just plays Woody Allen - and he has the neuroses down pat - but its distracting. And then EVERYONE in the film sleeps with/divorces/falls in love with/falls out of love with EVERYONE else and it starts to become frayed. Great idea, overcooked.
  • July 2, 2008
    Great cast, good story.
  • October 12, 2009
    I'm a fan of Radha Mitchell and i've heard it's good.
  • September 16, 2009
    Although the humorous syle and talent of Woody Allen is still present here, the film lacks of the enterntainment value and of the good plot that his films normally have. Although WIll Ferrell acted quite good, he was a weird choice. Not necessary to see.

    55/100
  • September 15, 2009
    Not as bad as some say! I liked the idea of small details in story telling leading to whole different kind of stories.
  • August 5, 2009
    I was intrigued at how Radha Mitchell played both scenarios extremely well, both in the comedy story as well as the dramatic tragedy story. The ending for both stories were perfect for the type of stories that they are respectively. I admire the work of Woody Allen tremendously. ...( read more)He has scripts among scripts that he releases and always gets work, this is a true testament to that, and proving such. People can take Will Ferrell serious in this role and not just look at him as that 1 comedic character "in every movie" like we the audience always say. This and "Stranger Than Fiction" prove that. However, he's kind of quirky in both "... Fiction" and this one, overall his character contributes to a deeper story than just a relief movie to have a few laughs. I LOVE how an interracial relationship is brought into play here and Woody doesn't make it a big deal. Everyone just goes along with life as if nothing were wrong ... which is how it should be! Chiwetel's merrit's, attributes, and personality are what accept him into this world of Melinda and her friends. Despite what others here on Flixter are putting it down with, in addition to the critics, I LOVE and SUPPORT the film! One of Woody's best!
  • August 4, 2009
    Very Woody Allen in all its thread. Interresting to watch although I felt sometimes the drama was the comedy and vice versa... Maybe it was meant that way

Critic Reviews


April 2, 2005
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

The comic and tragic stories are cleverly intercut, but they're both so inconsequential that it's hard to bring yourself to care which one you're watching. full review

March 31, 2005
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

The comic half of the double feature is more wheezy than breezy, and the drama lacks the pulverizing punch of serious art. full review

March 24, 2005
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The real drama here is pretentious Woody trying to catch a ride on funny, formerly saleable Woody. full review

March 23, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A movie about the symbiosis of the filmmaker and the audience, who are required to conspire in the creation of an imaginary world. full review

March 17, 2005
David Edelstein, Slate

Two lousy movies for the price of one. full review

March 17, 2005
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Melinda and Melinda is perhaps best thought of as an offering to the memories of Ernst Lubitsch and George S. Kaufman, half-forgotten culture heroes whose examples of crisp sophistication deserve to b... full review

March 17, 2005
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

Woody Allen does it again: one more unfunny, terrifically out-of-touch comedy set in an almost unrecognizable upper-class New York, pristine and shiny. full review

March 16, 2005
Nick Schager, Filmcritic.com

missing, unfortunately, both laughs and tears full review

March 10, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Woody Allen is back in fighting form with Melinda and Melinda. full review

View more Melinda and Melinda reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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Melinda and Melinda Trivia


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