The wailing jazz notes of Rhapsody in Blue accompany the opening scenes of fireworks bursting over Noo Yawk - but the photography, perhaps the film's most striking ele ment, could be described as operatic, writes Paul Stammers.

Manhattan, which is showing at Oxford's Phoenix cinema on March 11, is principally a homage to the city, the camera lingering on its contours like a lover eyeing his mistress. Often the characters are marginalised, delivering their lines on the edges of the screen, or almost obscured by inky shadows. Much of the credit should go to cinematographer Gordon Willis.

Allen plays Isaac Davis, an unhappy twice-divorced writer of TV shows. His second ex-wife, played by Meryl Streep, has left him to live with another woman and is writing a book about her relationship with Isaac.

Davis is dating a 17-year-old student, Tracy (Mariel Hemingway), but when he meets Mary (Diane Keaton), he decides to dump Tracy. The dialogue is a typically Allenesque cocktail of pithiness and whimsical philosophy, but there's spontaneity too - in an scene in a restaurant, as Isaac is beginning to speak, a person (presumably a customer) walks in front of the camera. Allen chuckles, and quickly recovers with an impromptu remark.

Of course, there are plenty of trademark musings about the confusion and perils of life, love and relationships.

Yet at heart this a rather sweet movie, with a closing scene that reminds one of Brief Encounter.

It is being shown at 11.30am. The box office is 08707 583218.