The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)

Featured Audience Ratings

• moon r

  
  One Allen film w/o himself or one of his numerous doppelgangers, which is a clue that here is a subject that is finally larger than Allen: his love of movies, that he freely shares with movie fans everywhere. So he takes one of the movie fan's most cherished desire (" ... I… More
  One Allen film w/o himself or one of his numerous doppelgangers, which is a clue that here is a subject that is finally larger than Allen: his love of movies, that he freely shares with movie fans everywhere. So he takes one of the movie fan's most cherished desire (" ... I wish I could be there ... or that here was like there ...") and plays with it a little. Mia Farrow plays us, the fan, is our doppelganger, and the movies are a) better than real life, and b) but not real life. One of the better Allen films, Farrow's contented gazing at the screen too brief to be iconic, but it should be ...

• Fernando Rafael Q

  
  Funny, charming and lighter than air, The Purple Rose of Cairo is the quintessential Woody Allen comedy. As per usual, the cast is a delight: a perfectly cast Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels and Danny Aiello. The visuals and the music are enchanting; the ending, perfect. I actually preferred… More
  Funny, charming and lighter than air, The Purple Rose of Cairo is the quintessential Woody Allen comedy. As per usual, the cast is a delight: a perfectly cast Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels and Danny Aiello. The visuals and the music are enchanting; the ending, perfect. I actually preferred the similar Midnight in Paris but I thoroughly enjoyed Purple Rose as well.

• Ken S

  
  Super cute and bitter sweet.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Cinema seen as a confessional booth where one can atone sins or ease sorrow but only to face reality once the show is over. Cecilia (A lovely Mia Farrow) understood only at the end that one should never push to obtain perfection, that beauty can also be found in the ordinary

• Steven C

  
  Woody Allen's "The Purple Rose of Cairo" is THE meta-romantic comedy classic. (I know thats a rather limited genre, but still) The picture is endlessly witty and charming. Mia Farrow and Jeff Daniels are wonderful here. Delightful and fun in every sense.

• Tony G

  
  "I just met a wonderful new man. He's fictional, but you can't have everything." That wonderful line of dialogue from the magical pen of Woody Allen sums up the genius behind "The Purple Rose of Cairo". "Cairo" is a funny, fun, clever and… More
  "I just met a wonderful new man. He's fictional, but you can't have everything." That wonderful line of dialogue from the magical pen of Woody Allen sums up the genius behind "The Purple Rose of Cairo". "Cairo" is a funny, fun, clever and touching tale of an unhappy New Jersey housewife during the Great Depression who is swept away by a celluloid Prince Charming who comes into her life right off of the movie screen. What at first can sound like a shallow movie plot shows remarkable depth as the device is used merely as a vehicle to explore how sad reality can be. Cecilia (the affecting Mia Farrow) spends her afternoons escaping her harsh married life in the town's movie house taking in the pictures. When "The Purple Rose of Cairo" a picture about a dashing Egyptologist Tom Baxter played by fictional actor Gil Shephard (played by real actor Jeff Daniels) comes to town, Cecilia watches the movie several times until all of a sudden he breaks the fourth wall and notices Cecilia in the movie theater. He steps off the screen and romances the down-on-her-luck Cecilia. This of course wreaks havoc with the film and sets in motion a series of events that ultimately leads up to Cecilia having to make a potentially life-changing decision. This film is well renown among Allen's films for how it unfolds and it does so brilliantly and without compromise and without sacrificing the film's tone. The performances, particularly Farrow, were spot on, but "Cairo"'s biggest achievement is its ability to take such a fantastical plot point (remember how poorly "The Last Action Hero" did it?) and make it work so beautifully. "Purple Rose of Cairo" ranks among Woody Allen's best and is one of his most underappreciated classics.

• First L

  
  Movies have always been used as a form of escapism, especially when times are tough (such as during the Great Depression), but what happens when the movies themselves desire escape? That's what happens in Woody Allen's "The Purple Rose of Cairo", Allen's… More
  Movies have always been used as a form of escapism, especially when times are tough (such as during the Great Depression), but what happens when the movies themselves desire escape? That's what happens in Woody Allen's "The Purple Rose of Cairo", Allen's tribute to the golden age of cinema. The film is indeed appropriately set smackdab in the middle of the Great Depression, where lonely Cecilia struggles hard to make ends meet. Inbetween slaving as a waitress in a diner and taking care of her domineering and abusive husband (the excellently creepy Danny Aiello), she frequents the local movie house. She must go there often as she's on a first name basis with all the employees. Sure, during the day her life may suck, but for a few hours each week, she can be transported off to exotic locations and expensive night clubs, experiencing the fleeting affairs and romances of beautiful movie stars. She especially enjoys the new film, "The Purple Rose of Cairo", taking in several matinees. One character, the "aww shucks", all around good guy and egyptologist, Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels), especially catches her eye. She apparently also catches his eye, as one day he turns to her and begins speaking to her from up on the screen. Moments later, he steps down off the screen and the two run off together, bringing scene to a halt. The characters in the movie don't know what to do without Tom there, and so just sit and wait for him to return, much to the chagrin of the audience in attendance (they begin to heckle the screen, and the people in the movie begin to heckle the members of the audience in return). Word quickly spreads of this strange phenomenon and soon the town is bustling with hollywood agents looking to put an end to the "bad publicity". Meanwhile, Cecilia and Tom grow acquainted and of course like any old time movie character, Tom almost immediately proclaims his love for her. Cecilia seems more concerned with just catching her breath after all the supernatural goings on, but she's entirely sympathetic to the idea. Much like her fantasies of leaving her husband, her fantasies of running off with Tom seem like they are so very possible. The craziness only heightens when the actor who portrayed Tom Baxter in the movie, Gil Shepherd, comes to town to try and save his career in hollywood (just suppose this living incarnation of his performance commits some crime or "rapes some woman", as his agents so often remind him). He too, meets and becomes attracted to Cecilia, who is then caught in a sort of love triangle between a movie star and his character. It's a quaint little film that still manages to give us a bit of melancholy near the end, as per Allen's more serious films. The Tom Baxter character is the stand in for Woody this time, fulfilling Woody's usual role of being an outsider looking in (or is it an insider looking out?). He makes no bones about his feelings about anything: love, religion, society. The character is the perfect man as invisioned by Woody. And yet, he's also a very apt tribute to the great film characters of the early days of cinema. In fact, the Purple Rose of Cairo is a love letter to the golden age of film. The care put forth into creating a 1930s film, from the lighting and film type, to the music and make up, it all looks authentic. The Purple Rose of Cairo is a film that aims small, but hits big.

• Spencer S

  
  Mia Farrow is great in almost everything she does, and this is her right to play a lead. Jeff Daniels is very innocent, and the premise is wonderful.

• Stella D

  
  wonderful fantasy for film fans. i love jeff daniels' performance in this. in new jersey, anything can happen...

• Aaron N

  
  Cecilia: I just met a wonderful new man. He's fictional but you can't have everything. Considered by Woody Allen himself to be his favorite film, this film takes a premise set in a surreal world during the depression involving a high concept, romance, and Allen's own… More
  Cecilia: I just met a wonderful new man. He's fictional but you can't have everything. Considered by Woody Allen himself to be his favorite film, this film takes a premise set in a surreal world during the depression involving a high concept, romance, and Allen's own love for cinema. The story centers around Cecilia, played by a lovely Mia Farrow, she is working as a waitress during the depression era. Her husband, Danny Aiello, is a bully and spends his days doing nothing with his friends, and drinks at night. Meanwhile, Cecilia loves to go to the movie theaters. After having enough of her husband for one night, she retreats to the theater to watch The Purple Rose of Cairo. She sits in the theater for hours, rewatching the movie, when all of the sudden something extraordinary happens. One of the characters, Tom Baxter played by Jeff Daniels, literally breaks the fourth wall by stepping out of the picture after noticing Cecilia watching him, and runs off with her. Not only is the audience shocked, but so are the remaining characters in the movie. Cecilia and Tom spend time together, meanwhile the studio becomes involved, worrying of danger if one of their characters could do something wrong. Mr. Hirsch's Lawyer: As your lawyer, I advise you to get control of it fast. A character from one of your productions on the loose? Who knows what he's capable of? Robbery? Murder? I see lawsuits. This includes the actor who plays Baxter, Gil Shepherd also Daniels, to come and try to reason with Cecilia and Tom to go back to how things were. Problems arise when both Tom and Gil claim to have fallen in love with Cecilia. Tom Baxter: [To Cecilia] I love you. I'm honest, dependable, courageous, romantic, and a great kisser. Gil Shepherd: And I'm real. This movie succeeds do to a number of things. Its very enjoyable for one. The premise is fun and at about 80 minutes, it moves along quickly enough to hit the notes it needs to. The dialog is of course good in the way Allen's style as a writer works. The characters are very entertaining, though I wished for a little more depth on Aiello as the husband. However, I particularly enjoyed Daniels, who is great in both his roles, which are played differently and both work. The overall impact of the story is also effective. Without spoiling much, by the end of the film, it is clear that themes involving cinema vs. the real world have provided for an appropriate conclusion. As a film it is technically very well done. The art direction is very good, working with both depression era themes, and the events taking place from within the projected films. The soundtrack is lovely. Allen doesn't go overboard with special effects, but the couple scenes involving some trickery are well handled. This is a very entertaining film, that works with the premise it sets up. Tom Baxter: Cecilia, it's clear how miserable you are with your husband. And if he hits you again, you tell me. I'd be forced to knock his teeth out. Cecilia: I don't think that'd be such a good idea. He's big. Tom Baxter: I'm sorry. It's written into my character to do it, so I do it.

• Jennifer X

  
  I never thought a Woody Allen film could be so GOOD without Woody Allen actually acting in it. You can tell Allen really, really loved this film - there's such an atmosphere of realness in this (despite the fact that the story is far from real). There's none of that… More
  I never thought a Woody Allen film could be so GOOD without Woody Allen actually acting in it. You can tell Allen really, really loved this film - there's such an atmosphere of realness in this (despite the fact that the story is far from real). There's none of that self-mockery prevalent in many of Allen's films - he completely immerses the audience in the 30s and Mia Farrow's look fits perfectly with the surroundings. The lines are convincingly delivered and it's funny, but not in the usual sharp, zinging humor - it's lighter, fluffier, and infinitely more lovely.

• Dean M

  
  Good fantasy-romance tale of an unhappy small-town housewife with the movies that the hero of her favourite film steps out of the screen and begins romancing her. This intriguing idea begins well but, despite its short running time, runs out of wit and invention long before the film… More
  Good fantasy-romance tale of an unhappy small-town housewife with the movies that the hero of her favourite film steps out of the screen and begins romancing her. This intriguing idea begins well but, despite its short running time, runs out of wit and invention long before the film runs out of the projector.

• xGary X

  
  Charming light fantasy penned by Woody Allen with a fine cast and witty dialogue. Once again, my enjoyment of Allen's films seems inextricably linked to his absence...

• Michael G

  
  This is one of the most clever and funniest movies I've ever seen. There are so many great lines and scenes. The brothel scene takes the cake and as heartbreaking as it is, the ending is great.

• Byron B

  
  This and Pleasantville are both about disrupted routine and comparing the fictional world of 30's movies or 50's TV to real life. Woody Allen doesn't appear in this one. But a year after Broadway Danny Rose, Mia Farrow turns in another excellent performance. Dianne… More
  This and Pleasantville are both about disrupted routine and comparing the fictional world of 30's movies or 50's TV to real life. Woody Allen doesn't appear in this one. But a year after Broadway Danny Rose, Mia Farrow turns in another excellent performance. Dianne Wiest is on hand too in her first Allen film. Jeff Daniels plays a dual role with a lot of youthful energy. I was tickled by Allen's recreation of Depression Era life and 1930's high society movie fantasy! Farrow as Cecilia escapes her poor hum-drum existence by going to the movies. Daniels as Tom Baxter is an "honest, dependable, courageous, romantic" movie character in a pith helmet. During one "performance" he notices Cecilia out in the audience and steps off the screen into the real world. The adventures of the fictional character trying to adjust to the real world are hilarious. Later, Daniels as Gil Shepherd, the actor, is brought to Cecilia's town by the movie's producers to find his creation and convince him to go back in the movie to finish the story. The actor's self-absorption and ability to charm Cecilia makes for an interesting shift between Daniels' two characters. Meanwhile, the rest of the movie cast is lost and unable to continue with the scene, they sit around making witty comments about the lives of movie characters and heckling the audience as some audience members heckle back. It's a puzzling situation for the fictional characters and curious audience members alike, actually interacting with each other. Cecilia falls in love with both versions of Jeff Daniels and must choose between the fictional and the real. But, is the real life man any less fictional in the end?

• Alec B

  
  What could have been a mere funny idea turns into a movie with a remarkable emotional climax. Woody Allen's film is almost entirely a fantasy piece and it would have been easy to give it the same kind of ending but he wisely makes it bittersweet. Mia Farrow and Jeff Daniels give… More
  What could have been a mere funny idea turns into a movie with a remarkable emotional climax. Woody Allen's film is almost entirely a fantasy piece and it would have been easy to give it the same kind of ending but he wisely makes it bittersweet. Mia Farrow and Jeff Daniels give one of their best performances here.

• Joey N

  
  Mia Farrow at her most adorable! But I don't want to give the wrong impression, this isn't a mere star vehicle. It's an enchanting ode to the power of movies. Woody Allen blurs the line between fantasy and reality as a character in Mia's favorite film jumps off… More
  Mia Farrow at her most adorable! But I don't want to give the wrong impression, this isn't a mere star vehicle. It's an enchanting ode to the power of movies. Woody Allen blurs the line between fantasy and reality as a character in Mia's favorite film jumps off the screen and falls in love with her. The actor seeks to find his character to prevent any damage to his reputation, but falls in love with Mia too. Plus she's already married. Best though is the frustrated characters in the film-within-the-film that have nothing to act out without the missing character. Also, great line: "I just met a wonderful new man. He's fictional, but you can't have everything." Very entertaining. Edit: after a second viewing, I decided I like this more in theory than execution. subtracting half a star...

• Brian R

  
  I think this is one of Woody Allen's best films. The film is funny, warm hearted, crude, and great. TPROC sums up all the love and nastalgia Allen has for the cinema and it's interesting when he uses his muse (Mia Farrow) as the main character who is seen as a sad woman and… More
  I think this is one of Woody Allen's best films. The film is funny, warm hearted, crude, and great. TPROC sums up all the love and nastalgia Allen has for the cinema and it's interesting when he uses his muse (Mia Farrow) as the main character who is seen as a sad woman and goes to the movies to take away her own personal problems. Jeff Daniels is great as the iconic star who comes to life and wants to be with the Farrow character and embrace on a romantic relationship. This is a great picture.

• Quinto W

  
  Mia Farrow and Jeff Daniels are both absolutely terrific, she's just so lovely. A very fun and sweet ode to the romance between cinephiles and films.

• Marcus W

  
  Mia Farrow lives a tough life during the American depression with a lousy husband. Her only escape is the cinema, and then...if you can, avoid reading anything about this film as what happens next and the way it plays out is something I would usually expect from Kaufman. It's… More
  Mia Farrow lives a tough life during the American depression with a lousy husband. Her only escape is the cinema, and then...if you can, avoid reading anything about this film as what happens next and the way it plays out is something I would usually expect from Kaufman. It's perfectly done and if I ever find out that it's true I'm going to be watching The Nightmare Before Christmas frequently. As a writer this could be Allen's best work. Then, at the end he skillfully avoids the obvious cliched ending and instead pulls back slightly to stay true to the tone of the film.

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