(rated PG-13, 103 mins.)
Woody Allen writes, directs and stars in his second comedy caper following “Small Time Crooks.” Allen is C W Briggs, the top insurance investigator in New York in 1940 — or so he keeps telling the firm’s new efficiency expert, Betty Ann “Fitz” Fitzgerald (Hunt). Briggs prides himself on being able to crack any insurance caper by getting into the mind of the thief, but now, thanks to the hypnotic powers of the Jade Scorpion, the mind of a thief is getting into Briggs. The two hate each other at first sight and it’s the banter of razor sharp dialog that makes it work. Fitz’s love affair with boss Chris Magruder (Aykroyd) doesn’t hurt either. It’s no “Annie Hall” (what ever could be), but it’s an improvement on “Deconstructing Harry” with an almost old movie touch and the least of any Woody Allen-feeling movie. Hunt is reminiscent of Lauren Bacall. Allen proves he still has his inquisitive and dorkish-cool skills. It’s been said if you take “Manhattan Murder Mystery” and combine “The Pink Panther” you get this one. Ok, I’ll buy that.
