Woody's nightmare

Casual Woody Allen fans might be surprised by "Cassandra’s Dream." The film is not a neurotic New York comedy starring the brilliant writer/director, but rather a British drama about murder and morals.

Allen has always been intrigued by these themes, though, and often incorporates them in his plots. In fact, his most famous film, "Annie Hall," was intended to be a murder mystery with romance only as a subplot.

His past two films, 2005’s "Match Point" and 2006’s "Scoop," also deal with London murders by seemingly unlikely killers. While "Cassandra’s Dream" poignantly portrays the ethical boundaries of human nature, it is not as compelling or mysterious as one would hope.

As two brothers, Ian and Terry (Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell), scrap up to sail away on "Cassandra’s Dream," they subsequently attempt to do whatever it takes to make a name for themselves.

When Terry falls knee-deep into debt and Ian must live up to the girl he loves, they turn to their successful uncle Howard (Tom Wilkinson) for help. In exchange for his support, Howard implores his nephews to kill a man who will otherwise ruin his career.

What makes Allen’s 21st-century British murder mysteries so compelling is that he portrays average citizens who compromise their morals by turning to murder. In essence, he is humanizing the crime. But unlike his most recent films - or even 1993’s "Manhattan Murder Mystery,"- there are no surprises in this film.

The foreshadowing, gives away too much-from the solemn classical music to Ewan McGregor’s reference to the fate of the Barrow Brothers-as in the Bonnie and Clyde fame.

Perhaps I have become so in tune with my favorite director that his plots have become predictable. Or maybe I’m being too hard on him, and the man wanted to make more of a character study than murder mystery.

Allen has always shined with a muse on hand (see Diane Keaton in any of his films), though, which means this September’s "Vicky Christina Barcelona" starring Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz should be far superior than "Cassandra’s Dream." Don’t let me down, Woody!