Melinda and Melinda (2004)

Director:

Woody Allen

Writer (WGA):

Woody Allen (written by)

Release Date:

29 October 2004 (Spain)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

One love story. Two versions. Seriously funny.

Plot:

Two alternating stories about Melinda's (Mitchell) attempts to straighten out her life.

Plot Keywords:

Actor | Dinner Party | Party | Filmmaker | Stage Play

Cast

Wallace Shawn	...	Sy
Neil Pepe	...	Al
Stephanie Roth Haberle	...	Louise
Larry Pine	...	Max
Radha Mitchell	...	Melinda Robicheaux
Michael J. Farina	...	Man with Dog
Jonny Lee Miller	...	Lee
Chloë Sevigny	...	Laurel
Matt Servitto	...	Jack Oliver
Arija Bareikis	...	Sally Oliver
Brooke Smith	...	Cassie
Zak Orth	...	Peter
Will Ferrell	...	Hobie
Andy Borowitz	...	Doug
Amanda Peet	...	Susan
Shalom Harlow	...	Joan
David Aaron Baker	...	Steve Walsh
Christina Kirk	...	Jennifer
Alyssa Pridham	...	Acting Student
Katie Kreisler	...	Director
Quincy Rose	...	2nd A.D.
Steve Carell	...	Walt
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Ellis Moonsong
Richard Holmes	...	Party Guest (as Rick Vincent Holmes)
Michelle Durning	...	Party Guest (as Michele Durning)
Geoffrey Nauffts	...	Bud Silverglide
Josh Brolin	...	Greg Earlinger
Yi-wen Jiang	...	Shanghai Quartet (as Yi-Wen Jiang)
Honggang Li	...	Shanghai Quartet
Weigang Li	...	Shanghai Quartet
Nick Tzavaras	...	Shanghai Quartet (as Nicholas Tzavaras)
Rob Buntzen	...	Antique Shop Owner
Daniel Sunjata	...	Billy Wheeler
Vinessa Shaw	...	Stacey
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lauren Adler	...	Waitress (uncredited)
David Boston	...	Racetrack Bettor (uncredited)
James Ecklund	...	Kissing Guy (uncredited)
Kenneth Edelson	...	Disco Guest (uncredited)
Alex Harder	...	Waiter (uncredited)
Sabrina Lloyd	...	(uncredited)
Jacqueline Lovell	...	Halloween Partygoer (unconfirmed) (uncredited)
Michalina Scorzelli	...	Susan's Neighbor (uncredited)
Natalie Silverlieb	...	Mandy (uncredited)

Directed by
Woody Allen

Writing credits (WGA)
Woody Allen		(written by)

Produced by
Letty Aronson	....	producer
Charles H. Joffe	....	co-executive producer
Helen Robin	....	co-producer
Jack Rollins	....	co-executive producer
Stephen Tenenbaum	....	executive producer

Cinematography by
Vilmos Zsigmond

Film Editing by
Alisa Lepselter

Casting by
Juliet Taylor

Production Design by
Santo Loquasto

Art Direction by
Tom Warren

Set Decoration by
Regina Graves

Costume Design by
Judy L. Ruskin		(as Judy Ruskin Howell)

Makeup Department
Robert Fama	....	hair stylist
Wayne Herndon	....	key hair stylist
Lori Hicks	....	key makeup artist
Nuria Sitja	....	makeup artist
Fern Feller	....	additional makeup artist (uncredited)
Lorraine Godfrey	....	additional hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management
Helen Robin	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dean Garvin	....	second assistant director
Richard Patrick	....	first assistant director
Kevin Shaw	....	dga trainee
Kathleen E. Kearney	....	second assistant director (uncredited)
Danielle Rigby	....	first assistant director: reshoots (uncredited)

Art Department
Julia Barraclough	....	scenic artist
Michael J. Cerullo	....	chief construction grip (as Michael Cerullo)
Ed Ferraro	....	stand-by carpenter
Danielle Giovanniello	....	assistant property master
Rafael Gonell	....	art department/shop assistant
Daniel K. Grosso	....	leadman
John Kouromihelakis	....	art department/shop assistant
Glenn Lloyd	....	art department coordinator
Wayne Moss	....	construction coordinator
Ron Petagna	....	head carpenter (as Ronald Petagna)
Chinyere Ryan	....	scenic artist
Cliff Schorr	....	stand-by scenic artist
R. Vincent Smith	....	assistant property master
James Sorice	....	master scenic artist
Paul Weathered	....	property master
Frank Weysos	....	art department/shop assistant (as Frank Leal)
Vincent Guarriello	....	key construction grip (uncredited)
Sarah Maine	....	set dresser (uncredited)

Sound Department
Gary Alper	....	production sound mixer
Coll Anderson	....	foley editor
Michael Barry	....	re-recording mixer
Nancy Cabrera	....	foley artist
Ryan Collison	....	foley recording engineer
Frank Graziadei	....	boom operator
Robert Hein	....	supervising sound editor
Thomas Kodros	....	consultant: Dolby Sound
Michelle Mader	....	cable person
Sylvia Menno	....	dialogue editor
Dave Paterson	....	sound effects editor
Glenfield Payne	....	sound effects editor
Marilyn Teorey	....	apprentice sound editor
David Wahnon	....	first assistant sound editor
Akil Wilson	....	assistant sound editor
John Soukup	....	sound transfer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
John Ottesen	....	special effects coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Matt Balzarini	....	second assistant camera
David E. Baron	....	first assistant camera
Michael Green	....	camera operator
Scott Gregoire	....	best boy electric
Brian Hamill	....	still photographer
Elizabeth Hedges	....	camera loader
Petr Hlinomaz	....	gaffer
Gary Martone	....	key grip
Jessica Miglio	....	still photographer assistant
Tally Morse	....	dolly grip
Charles Quinlivan	....	best boy grip
Kyle Rudolph	....	steadicam
David J. Thompson	....	steadicam (as David Thompson)
Tim Davies	....	grip (uncredited)
Glenn Fishel	....	grip (uncredited)
Anna Novick	....	grip (uncredited)
Jon W. Rosenbloom	....	grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Karen E. Etcoff	....	extras casting: Kee Casting
Patricia Kerrigan DiCerto	....	casting associate
Julie Schubert	....	casting assistant
Bill Tripician	....	extras casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Michael Adkins	....	wardrobe supervisor
Stephanie Biear	....	shop wardrobe supervisor
Mark Cronogue	....	costume assistant
Winsome G. McKoy	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Winsome McKoy)
Yleana Nunez	....	costume assistant (as Yleana Nuñez)
Frankie Ritacco	....	assistant costume designer (as Frankie Ritacco Sirianni)

Editorial Department
Sara Corrigan	....	first assistant editor
Elise DuRant	....	apprentice editor (as Elise Du Rant)
Morgan Neville	....	assistant editor (as Neville A. Morgan)
Joe Violante	....	dailies advisor

Music Department
Jill Meyers	....	music clearances
Roy B. Yokelson	....	music recording engineer
Dick Hyman	....	musician: piano (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Peter Tavis	....	transportation captain
Timothy J. Wood	....	transportation co-captain

Other crew
Sarah Allentuch	....	assistant: Mr. Allen
Abby Bailey	....	assistant production accountant
Daniela Barbosa	....	set production assistant
Greg Conroy	....	location scout
Edgar de la O.	....	production office assistant (as Edgar de la O)
Leo Driver	....	parking coordinator
Tracy Ershow	....	set production assistant
James Feldman	....	set production assistant
Eduardo Garabal	....	location assistant
Steve Gilbaud	....	payroll accountant (as Steve Guilbaud)
Janet Henry	....	location scout
Pino Insegno	....	voice dubbing: Will Ferrell
Scott Kordish	....	production coordinator
Brian Lamia	....	location assistant
Adam Leon	....	production office assistant
Pietro Lorino Jr.	....	production accountant
Daniel Lowe	....	production assistant (as Daniel Hamilton-Lowe)
Derek J. Manganelli	....	location assistant (as Derek Manganelli)
Gil McKinney	....	set production assistant
Christie Mullen	....	location manager
John Spady	....	location scout
Irwin Tenenbaum	....	legal services: Loeb & Loeb (as Irwin J. Tenenbaum)
Amy R. Trachtman	....	assistant production coordinator
Carl Turnquest Jr.	....	projectionist
Sheila Waldron	....	script supervisor (as Sheila G. Waldron)
Eric Wrolstad	....	assistant location manager
Leslee Dart	....	unit publicist (uncredited)
Ged Dickersin	....	location scout (uncredited)
Michael J. Harker	....	completion bond representative (uncredited)
Joe James	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Justin Pandolfino	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Christine Putnam	....	production assistant (uncredited)
William Sepulveda	....	craft service (uncredited)
Eugene Stamos	....	additional craft service assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Greg Johnson	....	the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank
Jessica Rose	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Fox Searchlight Pictures (presents)
• Gravier Productions
• LF Hungary Film Rights Exploitation
• Perdido Productions (uncredited)

Distributors

• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (2004) (worldwide) (all media) (as Twentieth Century Fox)
• Fox Searchlight Pictures (2005) (USA) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Italia (2005) (Italy) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Netherlands (2005) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2004) (Canada) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox (2005) (France) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (2005) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox of Germany (2005) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Bontonfilm (2005) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Fox-Warner (2005) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Hispano Foxfilms S.A.E. (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2005) (Canada) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• 20th Television (200?) (USA) (TV)
• FS Film Oy (2005) (Finland) (DVD)
• Film1 (2012) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2010) (Finland) (TV)
• RTL Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (TV) (RTL8)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)

Other Companies

• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance (as AON/Albert G. Rubin Inc.)
• Artists Rights Society  thanks (as Artists Rights Society {ARS})
• Axium Payroll Services  payroll
• Big Film Design  titles & opticals
• Bragman Nyman Cafarelli (BNC)  thanks
• Buco Restaurant, Il  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance
• Cathy Waterman  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance
• Chopard  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance
• Daily Racing Form  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance
• Davie Brown Entertainment (I)  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance (as Davie-Brown Entertainment)
• International Film Guarantors  completion guarantee
• J.G. Films  negative matching
• JewlServ  thanks
• Kee Casting  extras casting
• Kodak  motion picture film
• Liz Lange Maternity  thanks
• Loeb & Loeb  legal services (as Loeb & Loeb)
• New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting, The  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance (as The N.Y.C. Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting)
• Orbit Digital  avid equipment
• PMK / HBH  publicity
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Pastis Restaurant  thanks (as Pastis)
• Propaganda Global Entertainment Marketing  thanks (as Propaganda G-E-M)
• Reinstein/Ross  thanks
• SoHo Gem  thanks
• The McKenna Brothers  craft service (as McKenna Brothers)
• Tramp-O-Land  thanks
• Universal Studios Licensing  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance: "The Black Cat" footage
• Vintage New York  the producers gratefully acknowledge and wish to thank the following for their assistance
• Vitraux by Alejandra  thanks

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for adult situations involving sexuality, and some substance material

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Mono)

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Canada:14A | Canada:G (Quebec) | Czech Republic:12 | Finland:K-7 | Hong Kong:IIA | Ireland:12A | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40800) | Germany:o.Al. | Iceland:12 | Hungary:14 | Norway:A | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | USA:TV-MA (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Dune Road, The Hamptons, Long Island, New York, USA

Company:

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Trivia:

Demetri Martin auditioned for the role that was vacated by Robert Downey Jr. and taken over by Will Ferrell.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In one of the beginning scenes for the "drama" version of Melinda's tale the battery pack for her microphone creates a very noticeable bulge in the lower back of her shirt. Whenever she stands up from leaning on the kitchen table the bulge turns into the shape of a square.

Quotes:

Melinda:I'm an art historian... at least that's what I majored in at Brandeis.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Knights of Prosperity: Operation: Ralph (#1.5)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

String Quartet No. 4

Woody in full shape

A bunch of guys are discussing philosophy in a bar. Two writers with opposed views on life argue about it: is life tragic or comic? To illustrate their theories, they imagine a story of a woman. The comic writer presents the optimistic, bright tale of Melinda (Radha Mitchell), who just accepts life as it goes by. The tragic writer gives us a destructive, lonesome and troubled Melinda, who deals with depression and suicide. Around the two Melindas we can find a variety of interesting characters: a sincere and kind of shy actor (Will Ferrell) and his ambitious wife (Amanda Peet) in the comic tale; an intellectual woman (Chloe Sevigny) and the gentle pianist (Chiwetel Ejiofor)she falls in love with.

Woody's recent efforts weren't much impressive (yet me and most of critics here liked them), so everyone was a bit skeptical about his next film. Skeptical because it wasn't a proper comedy and because Woody didn't appear in it. Well, after having seen it, I must say this is the best film the man has directed in the last ten years or so (no, I haven't seen Deconstructing Harry). Not only it is wittier, but more transcendental as well. It feels more personal, and its message is clearer and warmer. Woody teaches us a lesson. Let's not get too excited, though. The film itself is not breathtakingly impressive, but it truly delivers, and is overall rewarding. It features plenty of allenisms and classic Woody situations. Precisely one of the correct complaints about the movie is the feeling of déja vu. The film's premise is original (it might even remind of Crimes and Misdemeanors, but believe me: it's pretty different) and very well executed, but the setting and characters all seem a bit familiar.

Nothing wrong with that, though. There's plenty of characters and they're all very well crafted by the director: the protagonist, Melinda, is both believable in its two sides (tragic and comic). Radha Mitchell is excellent in both parts, switching from comedy to drama smoothly. Will Ferrell is great, and I mean great, portraying the allenistic neurotic - he doesn't merely imitate Woody. Ejiofor and Sevigny are also very adequate in their roles. Overall, none of the characters seems forced; they're all believable and honest. I'd like to comment on the cinematography by veteran Vilmos Zsigmond (The Deer Hunter) in his first collaboration with Allen: the photography is by no means revolutionary, but the way the shots were composed was always interesting (a rewatch will help to reinforce this observation).

Woody's direction is masterful as always. I'm fascinated at how he alternates and mixes both stories. The pace and editing are mostly effective, as is the usual jazzy score. The dialogues presented are human and dynamic. This is a throughoutly enjoyable, pleasant exercise on love, infidelity, marriage, life, and so on, which while not being specially mesmerizing nor powerful, is sure enlightening: life is short. We shouldn't see it in a pessimistic way, because that doesn't lead anywhere, nor in an exaggeratedly optimistic way. We just got to accept it and enjoy it, because it can end... like that.