The Purple Rose of Cairo

PG

Released Mar 1, 1985

1 hr. 22 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

93%

41 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Unhappily married Depression-era waitress Cecilia (Mia Farrow) earns the money while her inattentive husband, Monk (Danny Aiello), blows their meager income on getting drunk and gambling. To assuage her loneliness, Cecilia escapes to the picture show and becomes transfixed with the movie "The Purple Rose of Cairo," and especially with its lead character, archeologist Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels). When Tom literally steps off of the screen and into her life, both realities are thrown into chaos.

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Critics Consensus

Lighthearted and sweet, The Purple Rose of Cairo stands as one of Woody Allen's more inventive -- and enchantingly whimsical -- pictures.

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Tom S

It's a great film! Very original!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

Full Review

nick s

Has the usual Woody Allen vibe with a lot of rapid fire dialogue and expressive characters. The concept is a bit silly and the story simplistic. But it compensates with high production value - good camera work, acting and directing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/19/24

Full Review

J M

I don't think I've seen a movie that conveys the sheer joy and magic of cinema in such a simple yet heartfelt manner. This movie is a valentine to all of us who share a passion for the silver screen. It's funny and moving, and like the titular flower, it even feels a little delicate and fragile. Farrow has never been lovelier, and your heart absolutely melts for her. Daniels, replacing Michael Keaton, successfully conveys actor Gil Shepherd and his creation Tom Baxter as two separate entities, which I imagine can be a challenge. Allen's writing is crisp and heartfelt without getting overly sentimental, and the moment when Tom walks off the screen and into Cecelia's life is movie magic. The majority of the laughs come from the co-stars in the film who are left on the screen - some angry, some jealous, all hilarious. A couple of the moments in which Tom adapts to the "real world" feel a bit obvious, including a visit with some prostitutes, but that is a very minor objection to this whimsical fantasy which feels like one of Allen's most personal films. And Farrow is just luminous - particularly during the bittersweet ending that simultaneously puts an arrow through your heart and a knowing smile on your face. - Jeff Marshall, Movie Blogger (Facebook)

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

M B

I'm just not the biggest fan of the whimsical stuff- I don't know why- it's cute and all, and unique- but I like Allen's grounded in somewhat reality films so much more. I didn't like Annie Hall either. Great cast though.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

Full Review

Alexsander F

Filmes espetacular, brilhante o roteiro de falar de cinema dentro de um filme de cinema, uma sátira essencial!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/12/23

Full Review

ed m

Sweet, funny movie. Highly original.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/28/23

Full Review

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Woody Allen

Director

Mia Farrow

Cecilia

Jeff Daniels

Tom Baxter

Danny Aiello

Monk

Dianne Wiest

Emma

Van Johnson

Larry

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Terrence Rafferty

Sight & Sound

Everything in this movie makes heavenly sense.

Mar 24, 2020

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Delightful from beginning to end, not only because of the clarity and charm with which Daniels and Farrow explore the problems of their characters, but also because the movie is so intelligent.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 21, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 2/5

Apr 11, 2004

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

When discussing Woody Allen classics, titles like Annie Hall and Hannah and Her Sisters are frequently cited (and rightly so), but where’s the love for The Purple Rose of Cairo, a movie that even Woody himself considers among his top two or three?

Rated: 4/4

Feb 15, 2023

Full Review

Zita Short

InSession Film

Mia Farrow delivers one of her most deeply affecting performances in this bittersweet romantic comedy about a Depression-era housewife.

Feb 1, 2023

Full Review

Penny Holme

Starburst

This succinct film is completely delightful, a marvelous homage to the spirit of the cinematic Thirties.

Jul 22, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Unhappily married Depression-era waitress Cecilia (Mia Farrow) earns the money while her inattentive husband, Monk (Danny Aiello), blows their meager income on getting drunk and gambling. To assuage her loneliness, Cecilia escapes to the picture show and becomes transfixed with the movie "The Purple Rose of Cairo," and especially with its lead character, archeologist Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels). When Tom literally steps off of the screen and into her life, both realities are thrown into chaos.

Director: Woody Allen
Screenwriter: Woody Allen
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 1, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 25, 2012
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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