Too much of everything

Crappy film

A Masterpiece!

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

The sepia tone impeccably restores the feeling of the 1940's and the wisecracking exchanges between Woody Allen and Helen Hunt, although a bit overused, don't lack the savor of "It Happened One Night" dialogs, and like some of the best screwball comedies, the romantic undertones never distract from the gags, or make us lose their tracking. "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion", released in 2001, is so full of little cinematic delights that it doesn't really matter if the film isn't regarded as the highlight of Woody Allen's career. After more than 30 films, Allen is more than allowed to give himself a break, and although I read he considered the film one of his worst, I wouldn't be surprised if in the years to come, "The Curse" gains more popularity, as I see it, it's got all the ingredients to become a cult-classic.The 2000's were a mixed year for Woody Allen, but the recent successes of "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and especially "Midnight for Paris" spoke very eloquently for a revival of Woody Allen's international prestige, for the fan's great satisfaction, the "little neurotic guy with glasses" still got it. But for myself, there's something that attracts me more to a 'little' film like "The Curse of Jade Scorpion" than these last Oscar-material successes, tailor-made to please European film-critics and God knows how they can get pompous or overly enthusiastic when it comes to Woody Allen, and take it from a fan. Of course, we all love to be taken off- guard by an established film-maker but when you get tired of the whole "love letters" to Barcelona, to Paris and this year to Rome, you start looking at the less ambitious comedies as very endearing little gems. After "Small Time Crooks", "The Curse of Jade Scorpion" provides another example of Woody's talent to make great little films, even greater because they remind of his earlier slapstick films before the more artistically oriented 80's.But let's get back to 2001, to "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion". The film's premise is one of these simple yet very creative ideas, like imagining a fictional character getting off-screen and discovering the real life or a man meeting at midnight the writers and artists that made Paris' history. Woody Allen wondered what if someone could get hypnotized in order to commit a crime and not remembering it, what if this guy gets involved in the investigation. From a simple comedic premise based on the idea of a perfect crime, the other elements of the story come up very naturally, what if the hero is an insurance investigator? How to make the curse start? How about a stage hypnotist show? Then what best way to prove that it works by taking two persons strongly hating each other, and then through the magical power of hypnosis, they suddenly falls in love. Bingo, you have your romantic subplot, the perfect crime, and the design to remind of the Golden Age of film-noir.Woody Allen is C.W. Briggs, a talented insurance investigator and Helen Hunt is Betty Ann Fitzgerald, the new efficient expert, she's sometimes too sophisticated or too modern to be believable as a woman of the 40's, even if her performance is meant to remind of Rosalind Russell or Katharine Hepburn, but anyways. Fitz and Briggs hate each other so much that we know that they would end up together, although she's closer to Barbara Stanwyck than he is to Fred MacMurray. The reference to "Double Indemnity" is more than intentional, but would you imagine Edward G. Robinson involved in a romance? Well, I can buy anything a movie would if as a screwball comedy, it provides the right laughs. Although the scenes are unequally funny, "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" benefits from great casting, Dan Aykroyd and Wallace Shawn play their part with nuance and a little comedic something I couldn't put my finger in, even Elizabeth Berkeley was believable as the sexy secretary. But it's Charlize Theron that provides the best bits of dialog with Allen, as the obligatory femme-fatale.And then there's the plot, both Briggs and Fitz can be 'programmed' when they hear two magical words, respectively 'Constantinople' and 'Madagascar'. When Briggs hears 'Constantinople', he instantly gets under the hypnotist's control and executes any of his orders, which all of them include stealing and hiding jewels. It works as a great running gag, carried by a catchy guitar music, the little tone that sticks in your mind after the film ends, you may think it's a detail but the enjoyment of a film is made of little details you wouldn't suspect. And that's probably why some reviewers were more severe about the film, while it was good in our book, by Allen's standards, it could have been better. I also think the film would have fit a shorter length or that some parts were redundant while the resolution was a bit too abrupt, well, I can't disagree with these reactions. I also think there was much more to do with the magical words, but again saying a film could have been better doesn't make it bad. Indeed, even a filmmaker like Woody Allen is not committed to perfection, and "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" remains enjoyable from beginning to start. Perhaps, my only regret is that Woody Allen didn't make the film earlier when he was at the top of his game in terms of writing and acting. He had a fabulous chemistry with Helen Hunt, but even for Woody Allen, it's difficult not be distracted by their age difference. Briggs was a bit too old, and I'm sure the film, had it been written in the 70's would have featured smarter jokes, hell, I can even imagine Diane Keaton playing in Helen Hunt's part. Still a good film, with a great casting, great design and great use of music.

It's New York in the 1940's.CW Briggs is an insurance investigator who's constantly fighting with efficiency expert Betty Ann Fitzgerald.She has an affair with his boss Chris Magruder, only his wife is on the way of their happiness.Then those two, CW and Betty Ann are hypnotized by a magician called Voltan.When he hears the word Constantinople, he falls into deepest trance.The word Madagascar does the same for her.These words make them do things they wouldn't normally do, like commit a robbery.And also like each other.Could they be meant for each other? The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001) is a Woody Allen film, where he also plays the lead.He has gotten a terrific female lead from Helen Hunt as Betty Ann.Dan Aykroyd gives a great performance as Magruder.Elizabeth Berkley is fantastic as Jill.Charlize Theron has the looks and the talent, in this one she plays Laura Kensington.Allen's regulars Wallace Shawn and David Ogden Stiers play George Bond and Voltan.I just saw the movie on a DVD, having seen it once before.This is a rather interesting Woody Allen picture.It may not be the funniest, a few chuckles here and there, but it's fascinating.It's quite enjoyable to watch Allen every time he hears Constantinople.The movie tries to capture the spirit of the old screwball comedies, kind of what Tracy and Hepburn did, but gets only halfway.But it's a very good effort.

I really enjoyed this movie. Although it wasn't that well reviewed it was really very good if not his best work.This is a charming comedy mystery which is original and well written. There are lots of very good one liners you have to concentrate to catch. Many of the situations are delightful to watch unfold.The cast is good. Helen Hunt's deadpan insults are tailor made for her. Charlize is alluring - just wish she had more screen time.The main fault is Woody is a bit old looking for the romantic part of the role. I guess that's why he hasn't been acting in too many more of his own movies.

I am mostly familiar with Woody Allen's earlier work, such as the goof-ball comedies of the late '60's and early '70's. When he went cerebral, I lost interest... For 10 years, I've heard that "Curse of the Jade Scorpion" was considered by everyone - including Woody himself - his worse film, so I never bothered with it... One night last week, Netflix was showing it as a "Watch it Now" free offer, so I thought I'd at least give it a chance. I will tell you that I feel cheated all these years! I laughed through the entire film, and loved it so much that I bought the DVD! I've watched it several times with family and friends over a few occasions, and they loved it too! Perhaps it was released before it's time? I have no idea why it failed at the box office when it was released in 2001, nor can I understand why it was so disliked by the main critics of that time, but I honestly cannot find anything not to enjoy about this film: the story, the characters, the lavish 1940's sets and soundtrack... the chemistry between Allen and Hunt is believable, with witty, snappy dialog, and Woody is back as the underdog comedic hero again. I hope you give this movie a chance, it really has improved with age, and I am really happy I finally watched it.