All of these characters, though, have become fairly standard for Woody Allen as of late. The plot also seems like a recycling of ideas. Part of the problem is that Cassandra’s Dream lacks subtlety. We can see the consequences brewing a mile a way and we’re constantly being knocked over the head with symbolism. Allen takes the “dream” motif way too far. He makes his characters talk about their literal dreams, as well as the figurative aspirations they have. They are constantly saying things like “I had a dream about you last night” or “I dreamt that…” This also contributes to the film’s feeling of repetitiveness. Repeating dialogue and themes drag the movie down. It makes it too slow-moving to be the kind of thrilling drama it wants to be. You’ll find yourself wanting to hit the fast-forward button to get to the obvious ending.

Instead of being suspenseful and serious, Cassandra’s Dream veers dangerously close into soap opera territory. Perhaps it would have been more successful as a stage play. The characters’ downward spiral—complete with overdramatic twists and an ominous score—comes across as laughably ridiculous on the big screen. Maybe that means Woody Allen does still have some comedy left in him. He’s just not expressing it properly.

Movie Grade: C

Synopsis:

Set in contemporary London, "Cassandra's Dream" is a powerful and thrilling story about two brothers (Ewan McGregor, Colin Farrell) who are desperate to better their troubled lives. One is a chronic gambler in debt over his head, and the other is a young man in love with a beautiful actress (newcomer Hayley Atwell) he has recently met. Their lives gradually become entangled into a sinister situation with intense and unfortunate results. Written and directed by Academy Award winner Woody Allen, the film also stars Tom Wilkinson and Sally Hawkins. The score is by Philip Glass and the cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond.