Manhattan Murder Mystery

  • Review Date: January 30, 2012
  • PG
  • Genre: Comedy
  • 1993
Review

Common Sense Media says

Witty Woody Allen film about marriage and maybe murder.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this witty, wonderful Woody Allen film focuses on the possibility that a murder has occurred, but there's only some mild comic violence during the climax. The main characters snoop around to dig up the truth, even lying to their neighbor, who they suspect of the crime. There's some suggestive dialogue and rare swearing (including "s--t").

  • Positive messages3
    This film about couples and how people who love each other get along sends a mostly positive, if comic, message about long-term relationships.
  • Positive role models2
    Woody Allen and Diane Keaton have what appears to be a very normal marriage, and the whiff of intrigue surrounding their neighbor's mysterious behavior adds some spice to the relationship. They doggedly try to determine if a neighbor has murdered his wife. They follow him around, break into his apartment to snoop, and lie to him about their motives. In the end, their behavior may or may not be justified.
  • Violence2
    The couple at the center of the film suspects their neighbor has murdered his wife and spend much of the film wondering if any foul play has actually occurred. By the end, there's a dead body, a chase scene, and some comic gunplay.
  • Sex1
    No sex, though some discussion of sex and suggestive comments.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

Carol Lipton (Diane Keaton) is convinced there's something amiss about her genial neighbor, a recent widower who perhaps isn't as upset as he should be about his wife's passing. As she snoops for clues, dragging her reluctant husband Larry (Woody Allen) along for the ride, she slowly comes to the realization that her neighbor just might be a killer. Their pals Ted and Marcia (Alan Alda and Angelica Huston) join in the caper that starts off as a fun lark, but soon becomes deadly serious.

Is it any good?

 

MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY is one of director Allen's better films in a long career filled with hits and misses. The mystery at the center is fun, satisfying, and surprising, and the audience will enjoy uncovering the truth nearly as much as the four characters.

But that's only part of the story. Like many of Allen's movies, the story is a partly a vehicle to show off the characters, and to see how they relate to each other. And there's no more delightful Woody Allen movie pairing than him and Keaton to take on the roles of the long-married Liptons, who love each other and are comfortable with each other, but a little bored, too. The murder investigation is just the thing to infuse some needed zing into their relationship. And we, as viewers, are lucky to come along for the ride.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the messages in this movie. Is this a movie about honesty? About relationships?

  • How does this film compare to other Woody Allen comedies?

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Studio:Sony Pictures
Director:Woody Allen
Cast:Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston, Diane Keaton, Woody Allen
Genre:Comedy
Run time:107 minutes
Theatrical release date:August 18, 1993
DVD release date:December 15, 1998
MPAA rating:PG
This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!

About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Other entertaining Woody Allen films
For kids who love comedy
Browse more movies
 

vote now

Will you see Manhattan Murder Mystery?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it