The Purple Rose of Cairo

1985

1h 22m

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

1.1K

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Fantasy

Comedy

Romance

Cecilia is a waitress in New Jersey, living a dreary life during the Great Depression. Her only escape from her mundane reality is the movie theatre. After losing her job, Cecilia goes to see 'The Purple Rose of Cairo' in hopes of raising her spirits, where she watches dashing archaeologist Tom Baxter time and again.

Directors

Woody Allen

Writers

Woody Allen(screenplay by)

Stars

Mia Farrow

Jeff Daniels

Danny Aiello

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Trailer
Watch The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) Original Trailer [HD]

Photos45

Top cast

Cecilia

Tom Baxter …

Monk

Theater Manager

Cecilia's Sister

Henry

Jason

Rita

Larry

The Countess

Father Donnelly

Emma

Hooker

Penny Pitcher

Penny Pitcher

Penny Pitcher

Mr. Hirsch's Lawyer

Diner Boss

Directors

Woody Allen

Writers

Woody Allen(screenplay by)

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User reviews1

Review

Featured review

7/10

Initially, this reminded me a little of the scenario for “King Kong” as the impressionable young “Cecilia” (Mia Farrow) manages, not unreasonably it has to be said, to get fired from her waitressing job in 1930s New York. Despondent, she heads to the cinema to see the “The Purple Rose of Cairo” only for it’s star “Tom” (Jeff Daniels) to quite literally leap off the screen at her and soon her world is in turmoil. It’s not just her, neither. The studio is complaining that he is doing exactly the same in cinemas all over the shop. That gives “Cecilia” quite a quandary as she knows this man of her dreams cannot be real, whilst the rest of the nation wants to know what happens at the end of the movie - and without it’s star, well we can never find out! What is “Tom” going to decide, too? He is quite taken by his time amongst us non-celluloid types, but… I am not really much of a fan of Daniels, but he works well here as this comedy works on quite a few different levels. On one, it’s an out and out romantic comedy but on others it looks at the effects of the aftermath of the Great Depression, the crucial role of cinema in the lives of so many people and at just how repetitious and dreary life can be as that big screen allures! Meantime, “Tom” is given a rather too realistic glimpse of life on the other side of the reel as he encounters some of the less savoury characters from the time. It’s monochrome photography, Dick Hyman’s quirky score and a charming chemistry between an on form, flighty, Farrow and Daniels all contributes to another piece of gentle nostalgia from a Woody Allen who is very much at the top of his game and from a Stuart Wurtzel whose production design is engaging and sympathetic to the era and to the gently poignant and often quite witty dialogue. I wonder if anyone might make a real archaeological movie called “The Purple Rose of Cairo”?

Geronimo196730 May, 2025