Cassandras Traum

This is Woody, but at the same time it isn’t Woody. It’s like something by some nastily cynical filmmaker who doesn’t have the best opinion about the current state of morality in Western society. This certainly is no regular Allen movie, but then again, I wouldn’t say that you can’t tell he made it. I’m not denying that I would rather have seen this on stage where imho it belongs, but then again I would be robbed of the opportunity of enjoying the traditionally great work of Philip Glass. But the music isn’t the best thing about this. The best thing is easily the central actor duo. Those two should act in something together again some time. Despite their different accents, they were convincing as brothers more than anybody else I’ve seen in recent times. So my fears that I would see more McGregor and Farrell than Ian and Terry were unfounded. (20.07.2008)

Casandra's Dream is not a typical crime or detective story, it is rather a psychological drama about two ambitious young people, a businessman in the family, and a person who hinders their family's happiness. Above all, it is a film about dealing with one's guilt, a unique variation of Crime and Punishment. During this period, Woody Allen moved away from his old neurotic comedies and continued in the line set by the drama Match Point. It is not as strong as his previous film with a crime plot, but as a psychodrama about morality, it works well and Woody Allen maintains a high standard of work. Additionally, and this is once again confirmed in this case, he works with an elite cast. Both actors in the main roles give their best performance and consider their participation in Woody Allen's project an honor. Overall impression: 75%. (04.01.2011)

I really don’t know Allen’s movies at all and I readily admit that I only watched Cassandra’s Dream for the choice cast. Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell are both perfect and anybody would believe they are brothers. I was a little surprised that it was Farrell who was the bigger chicken of the pair. The story isn’t at all complicated or overly psychological, but it’s a pleasantly unwinding drama about problems and their solutions. Maybe it hasn’t got all is needs for a clear 5, but thanks to the music by Phillip Glass I can go a bit higher. (18.04.2008)

Ein uninteressantes Drama, das so unverhohlen die Raffinesse der antiken Sünde in die heutige Zeit verpflanzt zeigt. Eine Allenhafte Enttäuschung auf der ganzen Linie. Und dabei ist McGregor mit Superfrauen wie Ashley Madekwe und Hayley Atwell zusammen. (02.10.2016)

Woody's slow-moving English affair, taking its time for an hour with careful character building, only to pick up a faster (but not fast) pace and head towards an ending that made me give it a fifth star. (23.05.2010)

Der göttliche Woody begab sich nach seiner verrückten Komödie Scoop - Der Knüller auf ernsteres Terrain. Cassandras Traum erinnert in bestimmten Dingen auffällig an Match Point, und zwar vor allem die zwei Haupthelden - bei der Figur von Colin Farrel habe ich Berührungspunkt mit der Figur von Scarlett Johansson in Match Point gefunden, während die Figur von Ewan McGregor dem Schürzenjäger Rhys-Meyers ähnelt. Woody will wohl beweisen und tut es auch, dass er nicht nur Komödien voller herausragendem Humor, sondern auch menschliche Dramen drehen kann. Die Spannung steigt tatsächlich, und ich selbst habe ungeduldig gewartet, wohin die Geschichte gehen wird. Ich kann der Geschichte im Grunde nichts vorwerfen, trotzdem hat mich Match Point mehr erreicht. Und nun auf zu Vicky Cristina Barcelona! (18.10.2008)