Travis Simpkins

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001): Woody Allen, Charlize Theron and Helen Hunt

Like many of Woody Allen's films, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001) received decidedly mixed reviews upon it's release... and now, over a decade later, audiences are finally beginning to appreciate it for the wonderful film that it is. The strengths in The Curse of the Jade Scorpion are subtle, yet indelible. The 1940's period sense is impeccable, with great eye for detail. Great thought was also given to the development of the archetypal personas of the three main female characters... all drawn from typical characters from 1940's films. Charlize Theron is the sexy, uninhibited femme-fatale pin-up. Elizabeth Berkely is the stereotypical bubbly office ditz. Helen Hunt is the wisecracking, no-nonsense dame. Woody Allen is also in top comedic form as the male lead. With a good supporting cast including Dan Aykroyd, Wallace Shawn and David Ogden Stiers, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion is an underrated Gem worthy of more attention.

C.W. Briggs (Woody Allen) is an insurance investigator with a strong record of solved cases, making him a mild hero around the office...

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. 2001. Woody Allen and Elizabeth Berkely

especially with Jill (Elizabeth Berkely), the hot office secretary...

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. 2001. Woody Allen and Elizabeth Berkely

Briggs does not impress Betty Ann Fitzgerald (Helen Hunt), an efficiency expert, however. The two despise each other, with Fitzgerald viewing Briggs as an antiquated worm, and Briggs seeing her as an uptight shrew. Betty Ann Fitzgerald is a paradox, however, for despite outward appearances, she is having an illicit affair with their boss, Chris Magruder (Dan Aykroyd)...

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. 2001. Helen Hunt

A comedic turn happens at an office outing, when Briggs and Fitzgerald are picked to be hypnotized by Voltan (David Ogden Stiers)...

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. 2001. Woody Allen and Helen Hunt

Unbeknownst to all present, Voltan now has both Briggs and Fitzgerald under his power, and uses them to commit jewel heists at carefully chosen times. The crimes are mysterious, because neither has any recollection of anything, and Briggs is assigned to investigate. Naturally, he suspects Fitzgerald, and vice versa...

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. 2001. Woody Allen and Helen Hunt

Meanwhile, Briggs is being seduced by the sexy and sensuous, beautiful socialite, Laura Kensington (Charlize Theron)...

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. 2001. Woody Allen and Charlize Theron

Due to his hypnotic state, Briggs rejects Laura's blatant advances...

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. 2001. Woody Allen and Charlize Theron

and even the offer of her cannot release him from Voltan's control...

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. 2001. Woody Allen and Charlize Theron

Briggs and Fitzgerald's awkward hatred and suspicion is translating to love. When Briggs is arrested for the robberies, he turns to her for help. With confusion all around...

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. 2001. Woody Allen and Helen Hunt

something has to give in order to release the two from Voltan's power...

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. 2001. Woody Allen

Love and Death (1975): Woody Allen and Diane Keaton

Written and directed by Woody Allen, Love and Death (1975) is often considered to be the bridge between Allen's early slapstick comedy and his later intellectual/philosophical humor. Made between Sleeper (1973) and Annie Hall (1977), Love and Death (1975) combines his two burgeoning comedic stylings and Woody Allen himself cited the film as his own favorite work. Set in the early 19th Century, the film focuses on a cowardly man forced to serve in the Russian army and fight against Napoleon's forces. Both Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are in fine form in the lead roles.

Love and Death. 1975. Woody Allen

"Love and Death"- movie trailer

Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993): Woody Allen, Diane Keaton and Anjelica Huston

Although the idea was conceived at the same time as Annie Hall (1977), it took Woody Allen fifteen years to get around to making Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993). Allen felt the initial draft was too light and he had Marshall Brickman come in to assist in adding more substantial story elements. The part of Carol was originally intended for Allen's real-life wife, Mia Farrow, but their marriage had come to a bitter, non-amicable end. Allen offered the part to his old flame/friend, Diane Keaton, and she readily accepted the role. Art does imitate life, somewhat, in Manhattan Murder Mystery. The emotions Allen shows in the film in relation to marriage troubles seems heartfelt and genuine. The supporting cast in wonderful, including Alan Alda, Anjelica Huston, Jerry Adler and Zach Braff in his brief one-scene debut. An underrated Gem in the Allen catalogue, Manhattan Murder Mystery is smart and elegant... complete with a brilliantly fitting homage/reference to Orson Welles' 1947 film, The Lady from Shanghai.

Larry and Carol Lipton (Woody Allen and Diane Keaton) are a middle aged couple living in Manhattan...

Manhattan Murder Mystery. 1993. Woody Allen

When they meet their neighbors, a kind old couple living down the hall, nothing seems strange. That is, until the old woman dies of an apparent heart-attack. The old man seems a bit too cheery, triggering Carol's suspicion. She begins to investigate, sneaking into his apartment, looking for clues...

Manhattan Murder Mystery. 1993. Woody Allen

Although Larry is highly skeptical, and downright irritated by her obsession, even he can't help but get involved when it becomes apparent that something sinister is going on...