Mighty Aphrodite

Director: Woody Allen
USA, 1995
95 minutes

Our notes

A very witty Woody Allen film from his ‘golden period’, with dialogue that is sharp and funny. Woody Allen plays Lenny Weinrib, a sportswriter, married to Amanda (Helena Bonham Carter), whose ambition is to have her own art gallery. They adopt a baby whom they call Max. As the couple drift apart, Lenny becomes obsessed with finding Max’s birth parents, convinced that his child is a genius and he would like to find the genetic source of his brilliance. He begins his search and tracks down Max’s mother Linda (Mira Sorvino), a hooker and porn starlet.

Lenny is determined to find a better career for her and offers unwanted advice, whilst she thinks he is a client and a weirdo. Gradually she comes to like him while he tries to find her a respectable husband.

What lifts the film above the ordinary is the presence of a Greek chorus who continually interrupt to comment on the action in ironic counterpoint.

Cast: Woody Allen, F. Murray Abraham, Helena Bonham Carter, Mira Sorvino, Olympia Dukakis, Michael Rapaport, Claire Bloom, Donald Symington

Awards: Oscar, BAFTA & Golden Globe for Mira Sorvino as Best Supporting Actress as well as other wins and nominations

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