With Jim Sabatini

Scenes From A Mall

Rated: PG-13  for language
Reviewed by: Frank and Chris
Release date: February 22, 1991

Early in the film Woody Allen works at removing the sweat pants of Bette Midler, his wife, while she discusses problems with one of her clients on he telephone. It is their sixteenth anniversary. That scene is hilarious, it is also the only enjoyable scene in the film.

Allen and Mildler then proceed to confess unfaithfulness to each other and each takes their turn at being angered at the other. Most of the film is an argument between husband and wife, something which may be funny in moderation but not for an entire film. At times they discuss the reasons why they have stayed together while many of their friends have separated, but with no apparent relation to the plot.

Paul Mazursky directed Allen and Mildler. Given Allen's ability to write a script, he should have been the writer-director and Mazursky should have played Midler's husband. That might have worked because his combination doesn't, it's irritating and a bore.