The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)

The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) is a whimsical, bittersweet comedy-fantasy-romance set in Depression‑era New Jersey. Cecilia, a lonely waitress stuck in a loveless marriage, finds solace in the movies — especially a lighthearted film called The Purple Rose of Cairo. One day a supporting character, the dashing Tom Baxter, literally steps out of the screen and into her life. What follows is equal parts charm and chaos: Cecilia and Tom explore a romantic, cinematic fantasy; Hollywood panics as other screen characters threaten to follow; and the actor who plays Tom must confront the boundary between performance and reality. Watching the film, you’ll get a playful, imaginative story that celebrates the power of escapism while also probing the aching realities behind it. Expect warm, witty dialogue, tender romance, and a sly, meta commentary on movies and fandom — tempered with a melancholy undertone about longing and the limits of fantasy. Strong performances (notably Mia Farrow as Cecilia and Jeff Daniels as Tom) give the film both comedic lift and emotional weight, making it a dreamlike, affecting experience rather than just a novelty.

Actors: Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello

Director: Woody Allen

Runtime: 82 min

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

7.6 /10 75 /100 7.7 /10 7.6 /10