Mighty Aphrodite (1995)
-
77% of critics liked it
(35 reviews) -
69% of users liked it
(20,420 ratings)
A dissatisfied Manhattan sportswriter finds more than he expected when he searches for the biological mother of his adopted child in Woody Allen's comedy. Writer-director Allen also plays Lenny, a slightly more relaxed incarnation of his usual neurotic screen persona. Lenny is trapped in a bad… More A dissatisfied Manhattan sportswriter finds more than he expected when he searches for the biological mother of his adopted child in Woody Allen's comedy. Writer-director Allen also plays Lenny, a slightly more relaxed incarnation of his usual neurotic screen persona. Lenny is trapped in a bad marriage to high-strung art dealer Amanda (Helena Bonham Carter), but he finds solace in his relationship with his adopted young son. Indeed, he grows so fond of the boy that he decides to track down the boy's real mother, expecting to discover a brilliant professional. Instead, he finds Linda (Mira Sorvino), a ditzy prostitute and porno star who mingles casual vulgarity with disarming innocence. Despite his initial disillusionment, Lenny soon develops a fondness for Linda and decides to play matchmaker, setting her up with a handsome young boxer (Michael Rapaport) who is equally good-hearted and scatterbrained. While the contrast between the free-spirited Linda and the uptight Lenny provides the bulk of the laughs, hints of Allen's more literary humor are also present, particularly in the scenes involving a roaming Greek chorus commenting upon Lenny's fate. Sorvino received a supporting Oscar for her title role in a well-received movie that is nevertheless not at the level of Allen's best-known classics. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
- Directed By
- Woody Allen
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- In Theaters
- Oct 27, 1995 Wide
- On DVD
- Mar 16, 1999
Critic Reviews
-
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A minor comedy in Allen's work, though Mia Sorvino, who won an Oscar, shines as the prostitute, despite the director's condescending
-
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
'Mighty Aphrodite' only occasionally sparkles with witty dialogue reminiscent of Allen's earlier films, and that's not enough to resurrect the old Woody Allen magic.
-
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Surprisingly sweet Allen entry brought to life by Mira Sorvino.
-
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
brilliant
-
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Same ol' Woody, though not as effective as some of his past work.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Woody Allen
as Lenny
-
Helena Bonham Carter
as Amanda
-
Mira Sorvino
as Linda Ash
-
Michael Rapaport
as Kevin
-
F Murray Abraham
as Leader
-
Claire Bloom
as Amanda's Mother
-
Pamela Blair
as Greek Chorus Member
-
Al Cerullo
as Actual Helicopter Pilot
-
Tony Darrow
as Boxing Trainer#2
-
George De La Pena
as Greek Chorus Member
-
Kathleen Doyle
as Ex-Landlord's Wife
-
Olympia Dukakis
as Jocasta
-
Kenneth Edelson
as Ken
-
Paul Giamatti
as Extras Guild Researcher
-
Yvette Hawkins
as School Principal
-
Paul Herman
as Ricky's Friend
-
Sondra James
as Operator
-
David Kramer
as Chorus
-
Karen Longwell
as Chorus
-
Dominic Marcus
as Chorus
-
Peter McRobbie
as Linda's Ex-Landlord
-
Dan Moran
as Ricky the Pimp
-
Rosemary Murphy
as Adoption Coordinator
-
Steve Randazzo
as Bud
-
Craig Sechler
as Chorus
-
Tony Sirico
as Boxing Trainer#1
-
J. Smith-Cameron
as Bud's Wife
-
David Ogden Stiers
as Laius
-
Donald Symington
as Amanda's Father
-
Lisa Vidal
as Chorus
-
Jack Warden
as Tiresias
-
Peter Weller
as Jerry Bender
-
Jeffrey Kurland
as Oedipus
-
Danielle Ferland
as Cassandra
-
Gary Alper
as Park Avenue Couple