Melinda and Melinda (2004)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Woody Allen

Writer (WGA):

Woody Allen (written by)

Release Date:

29 October 2004 (Spain)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Life can be a comedy or a tragedy, it all depends on how you look at it.

Plot:

Two alternating stories about Melinda's (Mitchell) attempts to straighten out her life.

Plot Keywords:

Actor | Party | Multiple Roles | Extramarital Affair | Alcoholism

Cast

Wallace Shawn	...	Sy
Neil Pepe	...	Al
Stephanie Roth Haberle	...	Louise
Larry Pine	...	Max
Radha Mitchell	...	Melinda
Michael J. Farina	...	Man with Dog
Jonny Lee Miller	...	Lee
Chloë Sevigny	...	Laurel
Matt Servitto	...	Jack Oliver
Arija Bareikis	...	Sally Oliver
Brooke Smith	...	Cassie
Zak Orth	...	Peter
Will Ferrell	...	Hobie
Andy Borowitz	...	Doug
Amanda Peet	...	Susan
Shalom Harlow	...	Joan
David Aaron Baker	...	Steve
Christina Kirk	...	Jennifer
Alyssa Pridham	...	Acting Student
Katie Kreisler	...	Director
Quincy Rose	...	2nd A.D.
Steve Carell	...	Walt
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Ellis
Richard Holmes	...	Party Guest (as Rick Vincent Holmes)
Michelle Durning	...	Party Guest (as Michele Durning)
Geoffrey Nauffts	...	Bud
Josh Brolin	...	Greg
Yi-wen Jiang	...	Shanghai Quartet (as Yi-Wen Jiang)
Honggang Li	...	Shanghai Quartet
Weigang Li	...	Shanghai Quartet
Nick Tzavaras	...	Shanghai Quartet (as Nicholas Tzavaras)
Rob Buntzen	...	Antique Shop Owner
Daniel Sunjata	...	Billy
Vinessa Shaw	...	Stacey
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jacqueline Lovell	...	Halloween Partygoer (unconfirmed)
Lauren Adler	...	Waitress (uncredited)
Michalina Almindo	...	Susan's Neighbor (uncredited)
James Ecklund	...	Kissing Guy (uncredited)
Kenneth Edelson	...	Disco Guest (uncredited)
Alex Harder	...	Waiter (uncredited)
Sabrina Lloyd	...	(uncredited)

Directed by
Woody Allen

Writing credits (WGA)
Woody Allen		(written by)

Produced by
Letty Aronson	....	producer
Charles H. Joffe	....	co-executive producer
Helen Robin	....	co-producer
Jack Rollins	....	co-executive producer
Stephen Tenenbaum	....	executive producer

Cinematography by
Vilmos Zsigmond		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Alisa Lepselter

Casting by
Juliet Taylor

Production Design by
Santo Loquasto

Art Direction by
Tom Warren

Set Decoration by
Regina Graves

Costume Design by
Judy L. Ruskin		(as Judy Ruskin Howell)

Makeup Department
Robert Fama	....	hair stylist
Wayne Herndon	....	key hair stylist
Lori Hicks	....	key makeup artist
Nuria Sitja	....	makeup artist
Lorraine Godfrey	....	additional hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management
Helen Robin	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dean Garvin	....	second assistant director
Richard Patrick	....	first assistant director
Kevin Shaw	....	dga trainee
Kathleen E. Kearney	....	second assistant director (uncredited)
Danielle Rigby	....	first assistant director: reshoots (uncredited)

Art Department
Julia Barraclough	....	scenic artist
Michael J. Cerullo	....	chief construction grip (as Michael Cerullo)
Ed Ferraro	....	stand-by carpenter
Danielle Giovanniello	....	assistant property master
Rafael Gonell	....	art department/shop assistant
Daniel K. Grosso	....	leadman
John Kouromihelakis	....	art department/shop assistant
Glenn Lloyd	....	art department coordinator
Wayne Moss	....	construction coordinator
Ron Petagna	....	head carpenter (as Ronald Petagna)
Chinyere Ryan	....	scenic artist
Cliff Schorr	....	stand-by scenic artist
R. Vincent Smith	....	assistant property master
James Sorice	....	master scenic artist
Paul Weathered	....	property master
Frank Weysos	....	art department/shop assistant (as Frank Leal)
Sarah Maine	....	set dresser (uncredited)

Sound Department
Gary Alper	....	production sound mixer
Coll Anderson	....	foley editor
Michael Barry	....	re-recording mixer
Nancy Cabrera	....	foley artist
Ryan Collison	....	foley recording engineer
Frank Graziadei	....	boom operator
Robert Hein	....	supervising sound editor
Thomas Kodros	....	consultant: Dolby Sound
Michelle Mader	....	cable person
Sylvia Menno	....	dialogue editor
Dave Paterson	....	sound effects editor
Glenfield Payne	....	sound effects editor
Marilyn Teorey	....	apprentice sound editor
David Wahnon	....	first assistant sound editor
Akil Wilson	....	assistant sound editor

Special Effects by
John Ottesen	....	special effects coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Matt Balzarini	....	second assistant camera
David E. Baron	....	first assistant camera
Michael Green	....	camera operator
Scott Gregoire	....	best boy electric
Brian Hamill	....	still photographer
Elizabeth Hedges	....	camera loader
Petr Hlinomaz	....	gaffer
Gary Martone	....	key grip
Jessica Miglio	....	still photographer assistant
Tally Morse	....	dolly grip
Charles Quinlivan	....	best boy grip
Kyle Rudolph	....	steadicam
David J. Thompson	....	steadicam (as David Thompson)
Tim Davies	....	grip (uncredited)
Glenn Fishel	....	grip (uncredited)
Anna Novick	....	grip (uncredited)
Jon W. Rosenbloom	....	grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Karen E. Etcoff	....	extras casting: Kee Casting
Patricia Kerrigan DiCerto	....	casting associate
Julie Schubert	....	casting assistant
Bill Tripician	....	extras casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Michael Adkins	....	wardrobe supervisor
Stephanie Biear	....	shop wardrobe supervisor
Mark Cronogue	....	costume assistant
Winsome G. McKoy	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Winsome McKoy)
Yleana Nunez	....	costume assistant (as Yleana Nuñez)
Frankie Ritacco	....	assistant costume designer (as Frankie Ritacco Sirianni)

Editorial Department
Sara Corrigan	....	first assistant editor
Elise DuRant	....	apprentice editor (as Elise Du Rant)
Morgan Neville	....	assistant editor (as Neville A. Morgan)

Music Department
Jill Meyers	....	music clearances
Roy B. Yokelson	....	music recording engineer
Dick Hyman	....	musician: piano (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Peter Tavis	....	transportation captain
Timothy J. Wood	....	transportation co-captain

Other crew
Sarah Allentuch	....	assistant: Mr. Allen
Abby Bailey	....	assistant production accountant
Daniela Barbosa	....	set production assistant
Greg Conroy	....	location scout
Edgar de la O.	....	production office assistant (as Edgar de la O)
Leo Driver	....	parking coordinator
Tracy Ershow	....	set production assistant
James Feldman	....	set production assistant
Eduardo Garabal	....	location assistant
Steve Gilbaud	....	payroll accountant (as Steve Guilbaud)
Janet Henry	....	location scout
Scott Kordish	....	production coordinator
Brian Lamia	....	location assistant
Adam Leon	....	production office assistant
Pietro Lorino Jr.	....	production accountant
Daniel Lowe	....	production assistant (as Daniel Hamilton-Lowe)
Derek J. Manganelli	....	location assistant (as Derek Manganelli)
Gil McKinney	....	set production assistant
Christie Mullen	....	location manager
John Spady	....	location scout
Irwin Tenenbaum	....	legal services: Loeb & Loeb (as Irwin J. Tenenbaum)
Amy R. Trachtman	....	assistant production coordinator
Carl Turnquest Jr.	....	projectionist
Joe Violante	....	dailies advisor
Sheila Waldron	....	script supervisor (as Sheila G. Waldron)
Eric Wrolstad	....	assistant location manager
Leslee Dart	....	unit publicist (uncredited)
Ged Dickersin	....	location scout (uncredited)
Michael J. Harker	....	completion bond representative (uncredited)
Joe James	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Justin Pandolfino	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Christine Putnam	....	production assistant (uncredited)
William Sepulveda	....	craft service (uncredited)
Eugene Stamos	....	additional craft service assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Greg Johnson	....	the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank
Jessica Rose	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (presents)
• Gravier Productions
• Perdido Productions (uncredited)

Distributors

• Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation (2004) (worldwide) (all media) (as Twentieth Century Fox)
• Fox Searchlight Pictures (2005) (USA) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Netherlands (2005) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2005) (France) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (2005) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox of Germany (2005) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Bontonfilm (2005) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Fox-Warner (2005) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Hispano Foxfilms S.A.E. (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Italia (2005) (Italy) (all media)
• 20th Television (????) (USA) (TV) (A News Corporation Company)

Other Companies

• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance (as AON/Albert G. Rubin Inc.)
• Artists Rights Society  thanks (as Artists Rights Society {ARS})
• Axium Payroll Services  payroll
• Big Film Design  titles & opticals
• Bragman Nyman Cafarelli (BNC)  thanks
• Buco Restaurant, Il  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance
• Cathy Waterman  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance
• Chopard  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance
• Daily Racing Form  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance
• Davie Brown Entertainment (I)  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance (as Davie-Brown Entertainment)
• International Film Guarantors  completion guarantee
• J.G. Films  negative matching
• JewlServ  thanks
• Kee Casting  extras casting
• Kodak  motion picture film
• Liz Lange Maternity  thanks
• Loeb and Loeb  legal services (as Loeb & Loeb)
• New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting, The  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance (as The N.Y.C. Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting)
• Orbit Digital  avid equipment
• PMK/HBH  publicity
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Pastis Restaurant  thanks (as Pastis)
• Propaganda Global Entertainment Marketing  thanks (as Propaganda G-E-M)
• Reinstein/Ross  thanks
• SoHo Gem  thanks
• The McKenna Brothers  craft service (as McKenna Brothers)
• Tramp-O-Land  thanks
• Universal Studios Licensing  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance: "The Black Cat" footage
• Vintage New York  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance
• Vitraux by Alejandra  thanks

Also Known As:

Melinda & Melinda (USA) (alternative spelling)
Untitled Woody Allen Fall Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for adult situations involving sexuality, and some substance material.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Mono)

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Hungary:14 | Norway:A | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Canada:14A | Canada:G (Quebec) | Czech Republic:12 | Finland:K-7 | Hong Kong:IIA | Ireland:12A | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40800) | Germany:o.Al.

Filming Locations:

Dune Road, The Hamptons, Long Island, New York, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

Winona Ryder was originally cast as Melinda, but was forced to drop out because no agency would insure her due to her famous arrest for shoplifting. Woody Allen stated in the book "Conversations with Woody Allen" that he wanted to cast Ryder, but he couldn't get a bonding on her.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: At the beginning of the movie it is poring with rain and yet not a single car that drives by on the street has its windshield wipers on

Quotes:

Hobie: I think it'd be only fair to tell you. I'm a Liberal.
Stacey: Oh. Are you talking politically, or in the bedroom?
Hobie: I was talking politically. In the bedroom I'm a left-wing Liberal.

Movie Connections:

References "The Simpsons" (1989)

Soundtrack:

In a Mellow Tone

Woody goes down...

I've seen my share of Woody Allen's movies, and while they're not always great, you can usually be sure you're going to be entertained. Probably the last really good ones were Bullets Over Broadway ('94) and Mighty Aphrodite ('95) - since then the ones I've seen have been patchy but watchable. And so when I was invited to see the new Woody Allen movie Melinda and Melinda, which I wasn't even aware had been released yet, I went along happily. I hadn't really heard much about it so I hoped I would be pleasantly surprised.

What I got was definitely the worst Woody Allen movie I've seen. The premise is over-explained, the cast is terrible, the script is slow and lifeless. Too many scenes said nothing and yet were stretched out, I assume to fill out what would have otherwise become a 15 minute short film.

I don't mind the concept behind this film - two directors discuss how a simple situation could be interpreted as a comedy or a tragedy, and obviously the film proceeds to show us that, by playing out both scenarios. The problem is neither of these 'two films' are any good at all. The comedy isn't funny and the tragedy isn't very tragic. It seems like Allen came up with a good idea but then ran out of steam, or time, to actually complete the film.

The general level of acting is notably bad also - Will Ferrell is the only one who brings anything to the table, and it's basically a Woody Allen impression. Previously good actors like Chloe Sevigny just come off as annoying, and the worst of the bunch is Radha Mitchell as Melinda (which is a shame, because her character is in nearly every scene!).

To be fair to the actors, the script they are working with is lacking if not non-existent. Definitely a long way from the Allen we know and love from classics like Manhattan or Annie Hall.