The Purple Rose of Cairo

Watch The Purple Rose of Cairo

"She's finally met the man of her dreams. He's not real but you can't have everything."
  • PG
  • 1985
  • 1 hr 24 min
  • 7.7  (54,665)
  • 75

In 1985, Mia Farrow starred in a Woody Allen film that would become a classic. The Purple Rose of Cairo is a romantic comedy set in Depression-era America. The film follows the life of Cecilia, a waitress in a small town in New Jersey who is unhappily married to a meathead named Monk. Cecilia escapes her unhappy life by going to the movies as often as she can. One day while watching her favorite movie, "The Purple Rose of Cairo," the film's protagonist, Tom Baxter (played by Jeff Daniels), steps out of the screen and into Cecilia's life.

Cecilia is shocked and a little frightened by Tom's appearance. Tom is equally surprised to find himself outside of the movie. At first, Cecilia and Tom are both confused by their situation. Tom is a character from a movie, and Cecilia is a real person. However, Tom quickly adapts to the real world and soon he and Cecilia become close.

The Purple Rose of Cairo is a film that explores the relationship between art and life. Allen's film is full of clever touches and humor but has a serious undercurrent. Cecilia's bleak life is contrasted with the glamour of the movies. In the cinema, she finds an escape from her reality. However, this escape is temporary, and Cecilia must return to her mundane existence. Cecilia's love for the movies is highlighted by a shot in which she stands outside a movie theater and watches people as they leave. The people look happy and carefree, and Cecilia longs to be like them.

Jeff Daniels gives a masterful performance as Tom Baxter, the movie character who comes to life. Daniels perfectly captures the naïveté of Tom while also highlighting his charm and wit. Tom is a romantic hero who sweeps Cecilia off her feet. Daniels' performance is both funny and touching.

Mia Farrow is also excellent as Cecilia. Farrow plays Cecilia as a dreamer who longs for a better life. Cecilia's life is difficult, and Farrow perfectly captures her frustration and desire for something more. Cecilia is a sympathetic character, and Farrow's performance ensures that the audience cares about what happens to her.

Danny Aiello plays two roles in the film: Monk, Cecilia's boorish and abusive husband, and Gil Shepherd, the actor who plays Tom Baxter in the movie. Aiello is terrific in both roles. As Monk, he is thoroughly unpleasant, and the audience can't help but feel sorry for Cecilia. As Gil Shepherd, Aiello is charming and urbane. Shepherd is a Hollywood star who represents the glamour and magic of the movies. Aiello perfectly captures the contrasting roles, and his performance adds depth to the film.

The Purple Rose of Cairo is a film about imagination and the power of cinema. Allen's film is a reminder of the magic of movies and the escape they provide. The film also raises serious questions about the role of art in our lives. Is art essential, or is it simply a pleasant distraction from reality? Can we find a balance between the fantasy of art and the demands of the real world?

The Purple Rose of Cairo is a romantic comedy, but it is also a film that asks important questions. Allen's film is cleverly structured, using the premise of a movie character coming to life to explore the relationship between art and life. The film is peppered with humor, but it also has an emotional depth that is rarely found in romantic comedies.

Overall, The Purple Rose of Cairo is a beautifully crafted film that is both funny and touching. Allen's film explores the power of art to transport us to another world and the struggle to reconcile that world with the demands of reality. The film features excellent performances from Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, and Danny Aiello, and Allen's direction is deft and assured. The Purple Rose of Cairo is a classic film that is well worth watching.

The Purple Rose of Cairo is a 1985 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 75.

The Purple Rose of Cairo
Description
Where to Watch The Purple Rose of Cairo
The Purple Rose of Cairo is available to watch free on Tubi TV. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, The Roku Channel, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent The Purple Rose of Cairo for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1985
  • MPAA Rating
    PG
  • Runtime
    1 hr 24 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.7  (54,665)
  • Metascore
    75