Irrational Man

Prolific auteur, Woody Allen, offers up another must-see for fans. As to whether the less dedicated will go for it, as they've done for a select few such as Midnight In Paris and Match Point, remains to be seen. It might not be one of his more memorable masterpieces but even his lesser films are still several notches above most of what clogs up the multiplexes.

Irrational Man stars two very 'now' actors — Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone (her second film with the director after last year's Magic In The Moonlight). Phoenix plays university philosophy professor Abe Lucas, who meets bright student Jill (Stone) after coming to a small town to teach. Abe's a heavy-drinking, miserable sod who can't find any reason to keep living and has sexual performance issues, making it impossible to have sex with colleague Rita (Parker Posey).

Abe and Jill become good friends and, like most young women in Woody Allen's films, she's attracted to his tortured intellect. Then one day the pair overhear a conversation in a diner and suddenly it all becomes clear to Abe — he can make a wonderful difference in this world, thus giving his life meaning. 

Cue an irrational act and the types of existential themes often explored by the writer-director who, now in his 70s, is still going very strong. To get too specific about the plot would be to take away some of the joys of watching it unfold but, needless to say, it wouldn't be an irrational act to part with your money to see it.