Woody Allen’s “Irrational Man” wants to be a philosophical thriller about murder, but it mostly plays like a college-set romance with a dark secret. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Abe Lucas, a philosophy professor at Braylin College in Rhode Island who falls into an existential crisis and finds a new purpose by plotting to kill an unethical judge.
The setup is clever. Abe overhears a woman describing how she will lose her children in a custody battle due to manipulative rulings by a judge with connections to the opposing side. Abe, who has been struggling with depression and drinking, decides to help her by murdering the judge. He reasons that he doesn’t know the man and has no motive, so he won’t be caught. The plan gives him a sense of purpose, lifts his depression, and even improves his sex life with Rita (Parker Posey).
Trailer, via Sony Pictures Classics.
Abe’s Two Women
Emma Stone plays Jill Pollard, a gifted student who debates Dostoevsky and Kant with Abe. She is in a serious relationship with Roy (Jamie Blackley) and lives with her parents. The film spends time on their conversations, but the romance between Abe and Jill is never fully developed. Abe is also seduced by Rita, his colleague, who is dissatisfied with her marriage. The triangle is present, but it feels more like a complication than a driving force.
Poisoning the Judge
The murder plot is the engine of the film. Abe follows the judge to learn his habits, noting that after his jog he always buys orange juice and sits on a bench to cool down. Abe decides to poison him. He steals a key to the college’s chemistry lab from Rita, sneaks in, and takes cyanide. The execution of the plan is tense, but the film doesn’t linger on the consequences. Once the deed is done, the story moves on.
Comedy and Tone
“Irrational Man” is billed as a mystery comedy drama, but the comedy is thin and the tone is uneven. Woody Allen wrote and directed the film, and his signature wit is present in the dialogue, but it often clashes with the darker material. The film also struggles with pacing. At 95 minutes, it feels rushed, particularly in the final stretch where the aftermath of the murder is rushed through.
Cast Chemistry
The performances are strong across the board. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a compelling portrait of a man desperate for meaning, and Emma Stone brings intelligence and warmth to Jill. Parker Posey is excellent as Rita, a woman who finds herself drawn to Abe’s savagery. Jamie Blackley is less memorable as Roy, and the supporting cast, including Joe Stapleton as Professor and Betsy Aidem as Jill’s Mother, mostly fill out the background.
A Comparison of the Romantic Triangles
| Character | Role in Abe’s Life | Relationship Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jill Pollard | Student and intellectual partner | In a serious relationship with Roy |
| Rita Richards | Chemistry professor and colleague | Dissatisfied with her marriage |
Verdict
“Irrational Man” is a flawed but watchable film that tries to do something ambitious. It raises genuine questions about justice, morality, and the meaning of life, but it doesn’t quite land its punches. The murder plot is the best part, but the film around it is loose and unfocused. The romance between Abe and Jill feels underwritten, and the comedy doesn’t gel with the drama.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.
