Z I assandra's Dream," Woody Allen's latest drama,f f opening Jan. 18, takes plaie in London just like his f last two films.</p><p> But that's not the only echo of the Upast.</p><p> The doomed prophetess Cassandrawas fated to accurately predict the future but be ignored.</p><p> Noq Al- len's body of work is so vast it's diffrcult for him to man- ufacture wen the quirkiest plot twist that doesn't resem- ble a device from one of his earlier frlms.</p><p> In his latest, two brothers @wan McGregor and Co- lin Farrell) agree to murder a business associate of their wealthyuncle in exchange forhis financial help, which they desperately need.</p><p> Here's a rundourn of the movie's high points that riff on earlier efforts by the Woodman.</p><p> In "Gassandta's Dt€am,'McGregor and Farrell's moth- er (Clare Higgins) is always running down her husband, when she's not nagging the boys, that is.</p><p> All out of love.</p><p> In Tale the lloney and Rm' (1969), Virgil Stark- well's (Allen) parents nag him about his career plans, which are to be a career criminal.</p><p> But they do it all out of love; it's just that they feel more comfortable disguising themselves bywearing Groucho noses and glasses when talking aboutVirgil on camera.</p><p> In"Gassandnb Dreamr"McGregor ddes an actress ftfa$eyatwelt) wtro is besieged with male admirers, turcludhg a weahtry bhrc blood wtro invites both her and McGregorto his cqffiry estate for a party.</p><p> McGregor also ptays v/eathy by takhg the CIp€nsive afromobiles his broth€r r€pairs for a spin wtrcn he's on a date. kr'Mdt Fohe (2005), Jonattran Rfrfn Mgrers is 6 ,rbdLa,{ rrn +mnic nn E'L^ aloa .rtr +^ +ada +}.6 f idrlife, thanks to his friendship with dashhg aristocmt Tom Hewett (Matthov Goode).</p><p> Rhys Mqrcrs decides he likes the good life so mudr that he marries Hewetfs mousy sis:ter to guarantee a place at the table.</p><p> In'Gassandrds Druam'" Unde Horvard CIom Wilkinson) asks the two brothers to eliminafe a business associate wtro rafher annoying$ seems determined to tell the truttr when questioned about HCIilard's stndy dealings.</p><p> Itr'gimes and Mlrdennanors" (1989), a businessman (Martin Landau) has an affairwith the increasingly unstable and thrcatening A4ielica Huston and ultimately decides the only reasonable thing to do is harze her killed. hfassandra,'McGregor is the relative$ stable sbling and Farrell the miserable sod with garnblingproblems and an unhe$ful sense of morality.</p><p> They squabble constanf$ brfr still spend more time with eadr other ttran with their rcspective girfriends.</p><p> In'Hatnah and ller Sishrs" (1986), Mia Farrow plays the absurdly perfect Hannah, wtrile sister Barbara Hershey drcats on her husband with Hannahfs cunent hubby (Midrael Caine) and Dianne Wiest is her drug-addicted other sisteB who dates Hannah's ex-husband (Woody Allen).</p><p> Despite their constant complaining, the sisters never go two minutes withotrt worrying eadr otherwiththeir respective problems and fears.</p><p> In'Gassandtar" McGregot's girtfriend is seen performing some serrually naughty drama But the real drama isUactstage, wtrere etreqrone is air-kissing everyone else and the actors are seemingly inrolved in casual nonumces.</p><p> In'Bilets Owr Amadwlf (1994), John Cusack is an aspiringplaywright who discovers a lot more drama bad<stage, tttanks to a talentless moll (Jennifer Tilly) wtro is foisted on hinu her gangster boyfriend with a gift for slroqr datoring and agrande dame of the theater @ianneWiest) wtro fondles Cusack almost as lovingly as she does her liqnorbottles.o , i MichaelGilE 1 ) l7o(o)
