GurlyIamBeach Instant Favorite.

Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Isbel 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.

oOoBarracuda Availability issues resulted in Mighty Aphrodite being the last viewing experience in my Woody Allen project. Arriving three days late also meant that I didn't make my goal of watching all 41 of Woody Allen films I had yet to see in a months time. I'm told I shouldn't be disappointed in seeing 41 films in 34 days, but I am a real stickler for rules, especially when they're self-imposed. Anyway, Mighty Aphrodite did not disappoint in its place as the finale of my Woody Allen project. The 1995 film, written and directed by Woody Allen, of course, stars Mira Sorvino, in an Academy Award winning performance, Woody Allen, and Helena Bonham Carter. A couple adopts a baby, and as he develops into an extraordinarily bright child, his father becomes obsessed with finding out who his birth parents are, believing them to be brilliant, as well. Lenny (Woody Allen) and Amanda (Helena Bonham Carter) are a married couple living in New York who, after much discussion, decide to adopt a baby. They adopt the baby, Max, when he is one day old and adapt to their new roles as parents seamlessly. Five years later, they seem to be living different lives and only connected by their shared living quarters and child. Amanda is focused on opening her own art gallery and pours most of her time in that endeavor. There is constantly a dinner or a gala Amanda and Lenny must attend leaving Lenny with the feeling that he is a mere witness in Amanda's life. Lenny works as a sports writer and feels that he has nothing in common with the people Amanda works and networks with. In Lenny's mind, the couple seems to be drifting apart and he is left wondering if their marriage will survive Amanda's ambitions. Meanwhile, their son Max shows incredible aptitude towards learning and is proving himself to be an advanced student. Taken by the notion that Max's biological parents must be geniuses themselves, Max decides to search for his Max's birth parents despite the records concerning his adoption being sealed. Deciding to forge on this project alone, without telling Amanda, Lenny gets a look at Max's birth records and begins to track down his biological parents. Lenny succeeds in tracking down Max's mother, but he is blown away to discover that she is a prostitute and adult film worker. Posing as someone utilizing her services, Lenny pays for an hour with the woman, Linda Ash (Mira Sorvino) to talk with and get to know the woman that birthed his son. The longer Lenny spends with Linda, the more he realizes Max's genius ability didn't come from his mother as directly as he had assumed. Lenny then decides to mold Linda into the woman he thought Max's birth mother would be. Lenny sets Linda up on a date, buys her new clothes, and tries to get her a job he sees as more respectable. All the while, his relationship with Amanda is becoming more distant as they both begin to entertain the notion of dating other people. Constantly fearing that his life is on the brink of becoming a Greek tragedy, Lenny is often treated to a Greek chorus giving him advice at various points throughout his proceedings with Linda and Amanda. Mighty Aphrodite is the ultimate quirky comedy yet human and touching story that could only come from Woody Allen. His style is branded all over this film and it is a shame I haven't heard more of a reference to it among the greats of his career. The way Woody Allen writes such whole human characters in his films is something I will forever be grateful for. Even the characters that come off the most one-dimensional, Linda Ash, in this case, are fleshed out and proved to be complete people. Woody's writing is a gift and one that keeps on giving. Even in his films that are not well-received, there are usually solid characters given whole lives. Flaws and dreams are examined in each person Woody writes even extending to himself. The story he tells of Lenny and Amanda relationship is instantly relatable to anyone that's had a child. There certainly exists an adjustment period for both parties to get used to their new role as parents, as well as become used to how those new roles affect their relationship with each other. Add to the adjustment period of becoming parents career ambitions that require much time and effort away from their partner and you've created a recipe for loneliness to be experienced even by two people that live in the same home. The basic human day-to-day elements of Woody's story are aspects I most enjoy in his films. I'm pretty sure I could compile a list of favorite scenes in Woody Allen films, and a decent number of them would be scenes in which characters are enjoying a meal together. Woody shoots personal revelatory dinner scenes like no one else, I'm certain of that. Another fun aspect of Mighty Aphrodite that is unique to Woody Allen was his spirit guides. Like he would later visit in To Rome with Love, among others, the Greek chorus providing insight into the life of Woody Allen's character, Lenny was a fun nod to history as well as an illustration into the master writer/director. Woody Allen seems to be largely informed by the past as he explores many historical elements in his films and shooting in a way that there is a live Greek chorus present in his characters life is a skill unique to Woody Allen. This project has been sheer joy, and I am so thankful to have ended on a high note with Mighty Aphrodite.

KineticSeoul This is a fine writing and storytelling by Woody Allen. It's actually clever and humorous, despite situations that could be serious. This movie goes in more of a light-hearted approach. With a bit of fate and ironic circumstances thrown in, that works well as a whole. Even if some of the humorous parts, rely on dense characters a bit too much. When it comes to the ironic direction of the characters. Woody Allen plays this husband that is with a controlling wife that decides to adopt a baby. Later Woody Allen looks for his son's real mother, because of ulterior motives. And ends up controlling her, even if in his case he is doing it with mostly good intentions. But the ironic, clever, dense humors is blended in well and fits together with the story as a whole. Although it does get a bit self-indulgent at times. Mainly do to the fact that Woody Allen's character in this being the only rational or at least the smart one for the most part. While everyone around him is either naive or dense. Besides his self-conscious and imaginary sidekick. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this flick and how it all played out. One of Woody Allen's good works. The term "the curiosity killed the cat" is a positive thing when it comes to this. And also one the best part about this movie is Mira Sorvino who just owns the role as Linda Ash. 7.6/10

bobsgrock Mighty Aphrodite is Woody Allen in a good mood; nice, considerate, thoughtful and completely engaging and delightful to watch. Taking major themes from Greek tragedies such as troubles of relationships and parenthood, Allen constructs here a tale that spins a story with its roots in Ancient Greek theater while maintaining his vintage Manhattan style.In true Greek form, Allen plays a writer who adopts a son with his wife and after finding out how gifted the boy is begins to track down his parents. He soon comes across the mother, a prostitute and porn star named Linda Ash who is sensitive, quick-witted, very charming and extremely attractive. It is in these scenes that we quickly realize two things: Mira Sorvino is a delightful actress and her casting was a thing of genius, and Woody Allen continues to prove his hold on the title as best comedic screenwriter in American cinema. His dialogue is so clever and quirky, the characters wildly screwball yet utterly charming; he is a one of a kind. He also shows his ability as a director, utilizing these scenes to build on more comedic opportunities as well as show his philosophy of how life often throws unbelievable curveballs.All throughout this delightful story, a Greek chorus pops up routinely to comment and enlarge the story and explain more on what Allen is trying to say. F. Murray Abraham is terrific as the sarcastic leader and the whole chorus has some great lines and the choreography is wonderful. Some will criticize this move, thinking it stops the flow of the film. In terms of Allen's career, I found it refreshing to see that at this point in his career, he found a new way to hook an audience as well as continue to tell an interesting and entertaining story. I also must comment on the final 10 minutes, which is equal parts tragedy, comedy, irony and understanding. Life is a mysterious fig, and Woody Allen knows the best way to understand it is to laugh at its mysteries.

Sirus_the_Virus Woody Allen stars as an adoptive parent in Mighty Aphrodite. Mighty Aphrodite is a hilarious film, with many strange things in it. Kind of like Allen's 2006 film, Scoop. There are just many odd things about it. Including musical numbers. And things including Greek stuff.Allen's movies are usually very funny. and the man is a genius. The plot alone to this film sounds funny. The film has many good performances. But the one that was looked at the most was Mira Sorvino. I can only think of two films that she has starred in. I loved them both. She is terrific in this movie. So is Woody Allen of course. But Sorvino is something else. I mean she won the Oscar.Woody Allen and Helena Bonham Carter star as a couple looking to adopt children. They adopt a boy and name him Max. Years go on and they find out Max is a genius. So Allen's character goes off and tries to find the parents. He soon meets the mother(played excellently by Mira Sorvino) and finds out that she's a hooker and a porn star. He soon starts to get to know her, and his life kind of falls apart too.I don't know what it is with Woody Allen's films. But I can rarely ever find a flaw with them. I mean even his ones that didn't do well, such as Scoop and Whatever works. I just love them all. I have a hard time finding flaws with his films. The only flaw with this one is that there are some strange moments. There is. The same thing with Scoop though. I love Woody Allen's films. The guy may be a pervert, but his films are genius.Mighty Aphrodite: A-