Why should human beings act morally? Why should they do the right thing if they could easily get away with doing the wrong thing? These are just but a few examples of the questions that are featured in Crimes and Misdemeanors. Perhaps the most important question that Allen asks in the film is if one ends up getting something that they really wanted, but only if they had to steal, lie, or even murder, would they do it? And if not, why not? But underlying all those questions, a query about the existential nature of life itself is asked: can it be said that human existence lies on any innate moral structure or an underlying divine providential plan?
Allen wastes no time introducing the concept of morality and religion, where, by employing the technique of storytelling, he plunges directly into events and actions that have already taken their own course. Ben a rabbi suffers from an eye disease and is on the verge of losing his sight. Judah Rosenthal, his ophthalmologist, leads a thriving lifestyle, but his privileged lifestyle is on the verge of collapsing when his mistress threatens to expose his dirty secrets. This makes Judah arrange for his mistress to be killed, which is done eventually. This event makes him take a closer look at his life, where he wonders if God will punish him for his wicked deeds or if man has the ability to define his morality that when he fails to recognize it, then he cannot end up being punished. At one point, he asks, “What happens if a man kills.” The image of his father answers, “Then, one way or another, he’ll be punished.”
Meanwhile, on the other hand, is Cliff, who attempts to affirm his love for Halley, and when his contempt for Lester results in him being blind to how life really works, it becomes clear that he is lost. But the most important aspect here is the fact that the doctor who committed murder gets away with it, where he lives in peace and never regrets his action. Amidst all this action, it is only the Rabbi who is capable of seeing God’s action and wisdom through the horrible events, but he also ends up being blind. At the end of the movie, the film leaves one wondering whether God has anything to do with one’s moral decision or not. As a matter of fact, this is one area that should not be overlooked in the film. One way that this fact manifests itself is when one tries to answer the question of whether or not it was justified for Judah to have his girlfriend killed as compared to letting the truth come out. At this point, viewers may divided on what needed to be done, which was the main thing that Allen wanted to achieve. The way the plotline was written makes it very easy to sympathize with Judah rather than his mistress.
But most importantly, while watching the film, other important themes, such as what is ethical and justice, took the best part of my mind. This is the case as the film has many normative features that allow one to consider other ethical issues as well. At one point, in imagined conversation, the aunt asks, “Do you mean that you prefer God to the truth?” the father proceeds to answer, “If necessary, I will always choose God over truth.” Why would someone knowingly choose religious faith over truth? Here, one wonders if it is okay for one to choose religion over what is right.
There is no doubt that “Crime and Misdemeanors” is a well-written film that allows the viewer to analyze the themes of religion and morality by looking at the actions and events that the characters are involved in. The film presents the struggles of two people in different ways. In so doing, Allen is able to invite the viewers to ascertain for themselves what is right and what is wrong, providing a good discussion on religious and ethical issues.
Works Cited
Crimes and Misdemeanors. Jack Rollins & Charles H. Joffe Productions: Woody Allen, 1989. Film.
