Mighty Aphrodite (1995) - Sorvino soars in funny Allen dramedy

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A Greek-type title font, festive colors and a ridiculous still make up this poster for Woody Allen's Mighty Aphrodite

Lenny and his wife adopts a child, but as time passes Lenny is struck with curiosity as to the boy's biological heritage. By and by he learns that the mother is a porn actress, whom he now attempts to help.

Mighty Aphrodite is written and directed by New-Yorker master filmmaker Woody Allen (What's Up, Tiger Lilly? (1966)), whose 25th feature it is.

The film is an amusing piece of classic Allen for a while; not outstanding but okay. But as it continues it grows funnier, as Allen does his shtick and deals with an outstanding Mira Sorvino (Indiscretion (2016)) as the moving if unintelligent bimbo mother. Later Michael Rapaport (Tom Cool (2009)) is also terrific as a boxer/onion farmer, whom Allen tries to match Sorvino's character with. The idea of the Greek chorus, led by a wonderful F. Murray Abraham (Children of the Revolution (1996)), also grows funnier as time passes.

SPOILER Only Allen gets away with such a blatant Deux-ex-machina solution to his plot as in the ending of Mighty Aphrodite, as Sorvino is swept off her feet by a helicopter pilot. Mighty Aphrodite is a funny story and a warm film.

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2013 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]

2013 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]
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2011 in films - according to Film Excess

Midnight in Paris (2011) - Allen's zany (and a little depressing) crowd-pleaser  

Cassandra's Dream (2007) - Allen's well-laid but inconsequentiel English cul-de-sac  

Match Point (2005) - Allen takes London with pensive thriller hit 

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I] 

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess

Top 10: The best big flop movies reviewed by Film Excess to date  
Anything Else (2003) - Perfect contemporary relationship comedy 

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001) - Allen's hypnotic, noirish shenanigans 
Celebrity (1998) or, Stars in New York
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) - Sin and guilt up for laughs and rumination in unspectacular Allen work 

Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) or, Manhattan Struggles and Wonders 
Broadyway Danny Rose (1984) or, Keep Your Heart   

Top 10: Best comedies reviewed by Film Excess to date
Annie Hall (1977) or, My Relationship with Alvie Singer   

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask) (1972) - Allen's curious sex comedy is a riot
Bananas (1971) - Woody Allen's South American misadventure is still a barrel of laughs   
Casino Royale (1967) - The packed spy spoof frontrunner, a film very much of its time (as actor)

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 15 mil. $

Box office: 26 mil. $

= Big flop (returned 1.73 times its cost)

[Mighty Aphrodite premiered 1 September (Venice Film Festival) and runs 95 minutes. Sorvino reportedly auditioned in New York without getting the part. She then flew to the London audition and went in again, this time in full costume, and won the part. Shooting took place from October - December 1994 in New York, New Jersey and in Italy. The film opened #16 to a 326k $ first weekend in 19 theaters in North America, where it climbed to #11 and 278 theaters, grossing 6.4 mil. $ (24.6 % of the total gross). The film was nominated for 2 Oscars, winning for Best Supporting Actress (Sorvino), and losing Best Original Script to The Usual Suspects by Christopher McQuarrie. It was also nominated for a BAFTA and 2 David di Donatello awards, won a Golden Globe and 2 National Board of Review awards, among other honors. Roger Ebert gave the film a 3.5/4 star review, translating to a notch over this one. Allen returned with Everyone Says I Love You (1996). As an actor he returned in The Sunshine Boys (1996, TV movie) and theatrically in Everyone Says I Love You; Sorvino in Beautiful Girls (1996). Mighty Aphrodite is fresh at 78 % with a 6.80/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

 

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