D.C. MOVIE GUYS

The question of just how far someone will go to achieve their dreams has been a focal point for authors and filmmakers for decades. Woody Allen has examined this territory twice, in his acclaimed drama “Crimes and Misdemeanors” and in his “comeback” film of sorts, 2004’s Oscar-nominated “Match Point.”

In his new film, “Cassandra’s Dream,” Allen again touches on the struggle between ambition and decent behavior. While the familiarity and other elements weaken the overall film, there are rewards for viewers who give the film a look.

Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell play brothers Ian and Terry Blaine. Sons of a working class London family, the two are different, yet similar. Ian dreams of leaving behind the family restaurant he’s been forced to run because of his father’s illness. He has grand reams of a better life and a major business career. Terry is a decent, troubled guy. A talented car mechanic, he drowns his disappointments in alcohol and gambling. He seems happy with a modest life, but there’s a deserved edge to his contentment.

Over the years. the family has depended upon the kindness of the brother’s Uncle Howard (Tom Wilkinson), the wealthy and successful doctor brother of their mother. Shortly before one of Howard’s infrequent visits, both Blaines find themselves in need of significant amounts of cash. Ian has a major business deal on the line that can free him from the restaurant and England, while Terry, who’d been on a major winning streak, finds himself deeply in debt to loan sharks.

Howard listens to their plans and troubles and offers sympathy and help-but with a catch. It seems there’s been some curious bookkeeping at the charitable foundation Howard founded and a colleague is ready to blow the whistle. Facing public disgrace and financial ruin, Howard agrees to make the boy’s dreams reality if they’ll kill the whistle blower. Faced with losing everything they’ve worked and hoped for, including Ian’s relationship with a beautiful, manipulative actress, they must make a life or death choice and deal with its consequences.

Echoes of the earlier films lay just under the surface of “Dream,” but, to Allen’s credit, the characters he populates the movie with absorbing enough to give the movie a life of itsown. Farrell and McGregor, who’ve fond themselves in some rather indifferent films in the last few years, seem engerized by their work with Allen. They deliver performances that resonate with emotion and surprising depth, particularly in Farrell’s case. Wilkinson does hs usual steady job as Howard.
The trio of actors give the film a sense of balance that outweighs the sometimes too slow pacing of Allen’s direction and Phillip Glass’ overly dramatic score.

While “Cassandra’s Dream” lacks the weight of “Crimes” and the edge of “Match Point,” it has a sense of drama and emotion that draws you in and holds you till the final scene. Though he may not be the filmmaker he used to be, Allen still has enough skill to make this “Dream” worth exploring.

MPAA RATING: PG-13 for profanity, violence, drug and sexual content.

JOE’S RATING: THREE STARS.

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