This film was released on Friday 11th September 2015 and is no longer screening.

Returning to the topic of the morality and practicality of murder that has produced films of such varying quality as Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) and Cassandra’s Dream (2007), Woody Allen’s Irrational Man stars Joaquin Phoenix as Abe Lucas, a philosophy professor about to take a new position at a small Rhode Island college. While Lucas has a reputation as a firebrand, he is actually deeply depressed, and his cynicism proves disconcerting to faculty and students. Colleague Rita (Parker Posey) and undergraduate Jill (Emma Stone) try in their different ways to draw him out, but it is only when he contemplates the murder of a biased judge in a custody battle that Abe once again finds purpose and meaning in his life.

Sharply directed, and a rare outing in CinemaScope, it’s one of the more amiable and tongue-in-cheek of Allen’s recent films. (Notes by Kevin Coyne.)

FEAST YOUR EYES
Join us for a special screening of Irrational Man when we pair it with a menu of main courses inspired by the film in the IFI Café Bar afterwards. The event takes place Tuesday, September 22nd at 18.30. Tickets only €20 (free list suspended).