MIGHTY APHRODITE

Woody Allen's latest movie sees him as typically neurotic sports writer Lenny, embroiled in another Manhattan melodrama as he and his wife decide to adopt a child. All goes well until Lenny, struck by his son's prodigy, decides to investigate the boy's parentage. When it transpires that his kid's real mother is a hooker and 'actress' named Linda (amongst other things too rude to mention here...), Lenny's neuroses go ballistic and the film gets into its pace.

This is typical Woody Allen fare, backed up with some good supporting performances and elevated above the norm by the frankly bizarre inclusion of a Greek chorus who attentively follow the film's characters' every move - and break into the odd Hollywood musical number every now and again. I can see this aspect of the film infuriating some, but it worked for me.

The only slight quibble I had was Woody was looking a bit long in the tooth for some of the scenes, but I guess you're allowed to cast yourself in a flattering light in your own film...

On-form fare from New York's finest neurotic. 8/10