Just what I expected

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Woody Allen is always magnificent at two things: writing dialog and directing small, intimate scenes. And both of those talents are on display here. However where he can stumble is building individual scenes into an overall narrative or plot, and that is the big problem with "Café Society". It is a series of interesting scenes that resolutely refuse to gel into a real story. The theme of "things just happen" is often important to Allen's movies. "Crimes and Misdemeanors" turns it into a real virtue as a storytelling device. However here (and in some other of Allen's later-period movies) things just stumble along as though hoping to find meaning or resolution, and when they don't, the film sort of gives up with a shrug.The cinematography, set design, costumes, art direction and other visual aspects are all top-notch. The period details are nicely handled and immerse you into the time frame. There were only a couple of glaring anachronisms in the script, which most people won't catch. And the acting, top to bottom, was no less than "good", and often great, with even Eisenberg's Woody Allen impersonation working pretty well. Blake Lively and Kristen Stewart were both remarkably charming in their roles, while Steve Carell, given little to do, did little.Overall, worth a viewing as a piece of fluff, but don't expect that it will be up there with any of Allen's major works, or even mid-level. An evening of light entertainment that will soon be forgotten.

The feature starts out introducing Phil Stern (Steve Carell), a millionaire Hollywood agent. His party is interrupted by a phone call from New York. His sister (Jeannie Berlin) lets him know Bobby (Jesse Eisenberg) hates his job and is coming out to California. After a few attempts, Bobby gets to meet Phil who takes care of him. Bobby is odd man out in a love triangle and returns to NY where he works a night club for his criminal brother Ben (Corey Stoll). The film has Woody Allen all over it. Jesse Eisenberg plays the Allen persona perfectly as his lines ooze and drip with subtle irony. The odd prostitute scene with Anna Camp, Leonard asking a man to turn down his radio, and the theological musings toward the end, and the spring-autumn romance is just a continuation of over-all Allen humor.The film starts about 1935, that is when "The Woman in Red" played in the theaters, although I don't think there is an effective time line going forward. Sadly, Eisenberg and Stewart create a different chemistry than what they had in "American Ultra." Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity.

As a Woody Allen fan, I tried very hard to like this film, but it failed for me on so many levels. The jokes don't land, the characters aren't very likable, and the acting was too stiff. I think this film is trying hard to be like Woody Allen's older more effortless classics. Major disappointment.

'Café Society' is a yet another winner from The Legendary Woody Allen. And the predominant reason, being, his PASSION for telling Stories to this date. Allen delivers a charming, heartfelt Romantic-Comedy-Drama, that celebrates life & love.'Café Society' Synopsis: In the 1930s, a Bronx native moves to Hollywood and falls in love with a young woman who is seeing a married man.Woody Allen is a Master at his craft & 'Café Society' proves that fact right yet again. Allen's Writing delves into the lives of flawed human beings & how emotions can overcome us at all times. Its engrossing to see its underdog leading-man falter in life & love, only to realize that experiences define us, for better or worse. Allen's Screenplay is consistently engaging & offers humor in the most unexpected places. Typical Allen.Allen's Direction is excellent, as always. Even his Voice-Over work here almost throughout the film, is delightful. Vittorio Storaro's Cinematography is superb. Alisa Lepselter's Editing is crisp. The Art & Costume Design take us back in time & offer authenticity. Performance-Wise: Jeannie Berlin, Steve Carell, Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Parker Posey, Kristen Stewart, Corey Stoll and Ken Stott, all are up for vie top honors. Eisenberg channels vintage Woody with fascinating results, while Stewart oozes naturalness. Carell is effortless, as ever. Parker Posey stands out. Her body-language speaks in volumes.On the whole, 'Café Society' is a must see.