I opted to view this movie last week following Woody Allen’s recent visit here, complete with his jazz group and a private lecture at the National Cinematheque. I've seen several of his movies before, and while I wouldn’t call him a bad filmmaker, he has always struck me as being overrated. He received an Oscar for Best Director and was nominated multiple times, but after “Annie Hall,” it seems like he made quite a few films repeating the same idea—stories centered on troubled relationships. After seeing “Annie Hall”, I struggled to watch this film without feeling that Allen was essentially copying himself, attempting to recreate his previous success with the same approach. For what it set out to do, it worked, and you won't likely find a professional reviewer who would describe "Manhattan" as anything less than a rehashed version of that earlier, award-winning movie. But that’s my impression, and I apologize if Allen devotees or critics disagree. In the film, Allen almost seems to be playing himself, similar to his role in “Annie Hall,” and it also includes his characteristic quirky humor and an apparent enjoyment of discussing sex. Diane Keaton delivers a strong performance; she's definitely the strongest actress in the cast, but even that isn’t enough to convince me this is better than other films he has made. The supporting actors don’t add much either—they seem content just to appear and be involved with the project. From a technical standpoint, there are some good aspects; given Allen's taste in music, it's not surprising that the soundtrack stands out as something he clearly wanted to personalize. And because he is a New Yorker by birth, it’s obvious this film was made with affection, showcasing his fondness for his hometown, which he currently cannot visit due to legal matters. Manhattan looks beautiful, appearing in all its legendary and captivating glory, and George Gershwin's music couldn't be more appropriate or enjoyable. The editing is also well done, even though the movie moves at a somewhat slow pace. I’m just not sure why Allen chose to film it in black and white with so much grain; that remains a mystery to me.

Source on TMDB