Manhattan

Manhattan

Year: 1979

Runtime: 96 min

Language: English

DramaComedyRomance

Woody Allen's Manhattan follows Isaac Davis, a television writer grappling with midlife anxieties following his wife's unexpected death. Lost and longing for his youth, he becomes involved with a much younger woman, Marie, further complicating his already turbulent emotional state. Through a series of introspective moments and complicated relationships, Isaac confronts his self-destructive habits and searches for meaning in love and life within the vibrant backdrop of New York City.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Manhattan yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Manhattan (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Manhattan (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie reflects a contemporary setting, likely in the late 1970s or early 1980s, capturing the social and cultural dynamics of the urban environment. During this time, societal norms regarding relationships and individual aspirations began to evolve, offering a backdrop for personal exploration and self-discovery.

Location

Manhattan, Queensboro Bridge, Museum of Modern Art

Manhattan is a bustling metropolis known for its iconic skyline, diverse culture, and vibrant life. Located in New York City, it serves as a hub for arts, fashion, and finance, attracting millions of visitors each year. The Queensboro Bridge symbolizes connection and transition, providing stunning views of the city as it links Manhattan to Queens.

🏙️ City 🌉 Landmark 🎨 Art

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:03

Main Characters – Manhattan (1979)

Meet the key characters of Manhattan (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Isaac (Woody Allen)

Isaac is a 42-year-old television comedy writer grappling with writer's block and personal turmoil. His introspective nature highlights his insecurities and conflicting feelings towards love and relationships. As he attempts to navigate his connections with Tracy and Mary, he undergoes considerable growth and self-reflection.

📝 Writer 💔 Conflicted 🎭 Creative

Tracy (Mariel Hemingway)

Tracy is a spirited 17-year-old who bravely expresses her love for Isaac. Her youthful optimism and desire for exploration contrast with Isaac's hesitance, reflecting the complexities of their age difference. Tracy represents the theme of growth and the pursuit of aspirations, particularly when she is presented with an opportunity to pursue acting.

❤️ Young Love 🎭 Aspiration 🌟 Optimistic

Mary (Diane Keaton)

Mary is a captivating character with a deep passion for art, engaging Isaac in stimulating conversations that reveal her intellect and emotional depth. Her tumultuous affair with Yale complicates her relationship with Isaac, illustrating the theme of love entanglement and self-discovery amid romantic chaos. Mary embodies a struggle between desire and the pursuit of authenticity.

🎨 Artistic 💔 Complex 🤔 Inquisitive

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:03

Major Themes – Manhattan (1979)

Explore the central themes of Manhattan (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love and Heartbreak

The film intricately explores the complexity of love, highlighting the emotional turmoil faced by Isaac as he navigates his relationships with Tracy and Mary. It captures the bittersweet essence of love, where tender moments are intertwined with confusion and regret. Ultimately, it presents a poignant reflection on the nature of affection, connection, and the pain that can accompany deep emotional ties.

🎭 Art and Identity

Art serves as a critical theme in the film, representing not only a passion for Isaac and Mary but also a lens through which they confront their identities. The characters engage in spirited debates about art and philosophy, revealing how creative expression influences their lives and relationships. It underscores the importance of self-discovery through art and the ways it shapes personal connections.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:03

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about neurotic city romances like Manhattan

Complicated relationships and personal anxieties set against an iconic urban backdrop.If you enjoyed the talky, anxious romance of Manhattan, explore more films like it. This list features similar stories of complicated love and self-discovery set against vibrant cityscapes, perfect for fans of witty dialogue and bittersweet relationships.

neuroticconversationalromanticmelancholicwittyurbanintrospectivebittersweet

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often follow intelligent but insecure characters as they navigate love triangles, infidelity, and the search for authenticity. The plots are driven by conversations and character revelations rather than external events, leading to endings that are thoughtful and emotionally resonant, if not entirely happy.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the intersection of romance and neurosis, their steady pacing driven by sophisticated dialogue, and their use of an urban setting to enhance the mood. They consistently deliver a mix of intellectual humor and emotional vulnerability.

Movies about bittersweet midlife crises like Manhattan

Character-driven stories of existential crisis, regret, and late self-discovery.Find more films similar to Manhattan that explore the complexities of midlife. These movies feature characters grappling with aging, creative blocks, and nostalgia, offering poignant and bittersweet stories about finding meaning later in life.

introspectivewistfulautumnalmelancholicmidlife crisisself-discoveryregretbittersweet

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, typically creative or intellectual, confronting their own flaws and missed opportunities. Through a series of personal failures and revelations, they gain a more sober, bittersweet understanding of themselves and their place in the world, often culminating in an ending that is more about acceptance than triumph.

Why These Movies?

They share a central theme of midlife existential angst, a melancholic and reflective tone, and a moderate complexity that delves into a character's psychology. The emotional journey is consistently one of confronting the past to find a fragile peace in the present.

Unlock the Full Story of Manhattan

Don't stop at just watching — explore Manhattan in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Manhattan is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Manhattan Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Manhattan, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Manhattan Summary

Manhattan Timeline

Track the full timeline of Manhattan with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Manhattan Timeline

Manhattan Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Manhattan that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Manhattan Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Manhattan

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Manhattan: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Manhattan

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