Mighty Aphrodite (1995)

My Review

Woody Allen wrote, directed, and stars in a most intriguing movie called “Mighty Aphrodite.” It tells the story of a man and his wife (Allen and Helena Bonham Carter) who adopt a baby boy. As time goes on, it becomes clear that the child is exceptionally gifted and talented. Allen’s character goes on a search for his biological mother who turns out to be a call girl, played by Mira Sorvino.

The drama proceeds from there and takes unexpected twists and turns. Allen’s screenplay is truly genius, earning him an Oscar nomination. Sorvino won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress portraying the earthy and complex character Linda Ash. The supporting cast includes veteran Claire Bloom, who has been in motion pictures since 1948, and continues her big screen career well into the 21st century.

Other talented thespians in this picture include F. Murray Abraham, Olympia Dukakis, Michael Rapaport, David Ogden Stiers, Jack Warden, Peter Weller, Paul Giamatti, Paul Herman, Danielle Ferland, Sondra Jones, Tony Sirico, and Jimmy McQuaid as Max. Woody Allen truly outdid himself here, with “Mighty Aphrodite” becoming one of the best movies of his career, a modest success at the box office for Sweetland Films and Miramax Films. It was filmed in New York City and Long Island, with a handful of scenes shot in Sicily, Italy.