Manhattan (1979): Romance, Narcissism, and the Myth of Seriousness

Manhattan (1979): Romance, Narcissism, and the Myth of Seriousness

From My Favourite Films by Nine Ladies Productions

February 20, 2026 · 19 min · Episode 8

About this episode

This episode explores the themes and visual style of Woody Allen's film Manhattan.

In this episode, we explore Woody Allen’s Manhattan (1979) — a film as visually elegant as it is morally unsettled. Shot in luminous black and white and underscored by George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Manhattan presents New York City as both a romantic fantasy and a psychological refuge.

Topics covered

  • film analysis
  • romance
  • narcissism
  • psychological themes
  • New York City
  • Woody Allen

Keywords

  • Manhattan
  • Woody Allen
  • Rhapsody in Blue
  • New York City
  • romance
  • narcissism
  • film analysis

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Manhattan, Rhapsody in Blue

Places: New York City

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