The Purple Rose of Cairo

1985 "She's finally met the man of her dreams. He's not real but you can't have everything."
7.7| 1h22m| PG| en| More Info
Released: 01 March 1985 Released
Producted By: Orion Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

Cecilia is a waitress in New Jersey, living a dreary life during the Great Depression. Her only escape from her mundane reality is the movie theatre. After losing her job, Cecilia goes to see 'The Purple Rose of Cairo' in hopes of raising her spirits, where she watches dashing archaeologist Tom Baxter time and again.

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Reviews

Libramedi Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant
Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.
Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
ben hibburd The Purple Rose of Cairo is written and directed by Woody Allen. It's a wonderful love letter to the golden age of Hollywood. Mia Farrow plays Cecilia, a softly spoken, introverted woman. Cecilia regularly visits her local to cinema to escape her repressive, abusive husband and her downbeat job, during depression era America.As she gets more and more obsessive with the fictional movie inside this film, entitled The Purple Rose of Cairo, she begins to project what it would be like to be part of that world. She watches the film so often, the fictional side character in the film Tom Baxter(Jeff Daniels) stops the film and addresses her directly from the screen. "You must really love this film" he exclaims. This is the pivotal moment of the film. This level of meta could quite easily lose it's audience. Thankfully Jeff Daniels sincere delivery of the line, and scene all together, completely sells this plot turn. So when he eventually escapes from the cinema screen it feels believable. The fact that the audience is readily accepting of this level of absurdity is a testament to Allen's fantastic writing. The film is also one of his best looking films. The set/costume design is excellent and makes the time period in the film look authentic.The film contains fantastic performances across the board. However it's Farrows and Daniels on screen chemistry that is the highlight of the film. They are both incredibly sweet and likable together without it ever coming across as feeling overblown. The Purple Rose of Cairo is a wonderfully crafted film, that in the hands of lesser skilled directors, could of easily gone awry. Allen manages to create an endearing and poignant film, that takes pleasure in it's retrospective look at classic Hollywood, and what makes cinema so magical. From the moment I saw the RKO title card at the beginning of the fictional film, I was instantly won over. This film is Woody Allen at his best.
Kirpianuscus a modern fairy tale. charming, seductive, fragile. about love. and about its limits. about illusion and its role in ordinary life. the magic of movies and the clash with the gray every day existence. and the brilliant job of Mia Farrow in a role who seems be a masterpiece. because the film is far to be great but it is example of important skills to give the right story. and this does the difference. in same measure, the technique side is the good choice for create the atmosphere. and to be convincing. so, a fairy tale. who has the virtue to be, in strange manner, more the story of the public more than the film of the director.and this small detail is enough for remind the status of genius of the unique and almost perfect Woody Allen.
grantss New Jersey, mid-1930s. Cecilia (Mia Farrow) is a waitress stuck in a loveless, dead-end marriage to obnoxious, philandering, gambling Monk (Danny Aiello). It's the height of the Depression and life is pretty grim but luckily Cecilia has an escape. She loves going to the movies. The latest movie in town is The Purple Rose of Cairo and after a falling out with Monk, she watches it over and over. While watching it for the fifth time, one of the characters in the movie, Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels), notices Cecilia and steps out of the movie. All manner of adventures, romance and hilarity ensue.Woody Allen's wonderfully quirky, reverent and creative homage to the silver screen. From the start the movies are shown as a medium to transport people away from their cares and Woody Allen does exactly that with this movie. He does this with a light, whimsical touch but with great reverence.The story is fantastical and Allen's development of it is wonderfully funny. The thought of a character leaving a movie and entering the real world is original and preposterous but Allen doesn't use it as a one-trick pony, taking the concept in many hilarious (and even profound) directions.Wonderful conclusion too, bringing us back to cinema's role in our lives.
JLRMovieReviews Mia Farrow lives in the world of make-believe, the world of old Hollywood. Her neglectful husband, played by Danny Aiello, doesn't help at all. She watches movies every chance she gets, even watching the same film over and over. The images blend, the thin line thins. In yet another viewing of an old musical/adventure tale, one of the characters, played by Jeff Daniels, turns to her and starts talking to her, even coming out of the celluloid projection. He has come to life. What's so extraordinary is that others see this, too! It's not like only Mia can see him. Jeff's real existence creates havoc. People want their money back. The movie moguls in Hollywood get wind of it, hoping against hope for no lawsuit. But most importantly, the cast left behind has nothing to do because they can't go to the next scene without him. But Jeff Daniels doesn't want to go back in the film. He is having too good a time with Mia. Jeff Daniels plays two roles in this Woody Allen film. Don't get confused. The character who jumped out of the movie screen and the actor who played him, who is asked to go this town to get him to go back into the film. Even if "The Purple Rose of Cairo" contains flaws and is not perfect, it proves one thing – Woody Allen can really tell a tale, can really wrap you into a world of fantasy. He is a master of his craft, as he spins a web of tall tales come to life with zany results. Van Johnson has a role in the film's film that goes on and on. This has much ingenuity and charm, and Jeff Daniels may have his best movie role/roles of his career with this experience. But what becomes of the movie character Jeff? More importantly,what becomes of Mia! Is she destined to a part of the theater's atmosphere, to live there, to breathe there? Does she get a chance to live, to branch out, to be her real self? Sometimes what we want can be detriment to (or be in direct opposite to) what we need. The real world vs. fantasy! Only the purple rose knows….