Cassandra's Dream (2007)

Two working class brothers find themselves in financial trouble. One (Colin Farrell) is besieged by gambling debts and the other (Ewan McGregor) lives a lifestyle way beyond his means. They appeal to an Uncle (Tom Wilkinson) for financial assistance and he agrees but he demands a favor in return and that favor comes at a very high price and leads to tragedy. Written and directed by Woody Allen. This is probably Allen's most underrated film. His Dostoevskian take on two brothers who commit a crime is one of his darkest films. Each is affected differently, for one it is almost a high while the other unravels as his conscience eats away at his mental health. The film itself polarized critics when it opened, some praised it while others disliked it. I think it's one of his best films and although he has made films in a similar vein like CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS and MATCH POINT, this one is grittier and bleaker with echoes of Greek tragedy. For some that connotes pretension on Allen's part but I found it riveting. It is also one of the rare Woody Allen films that use an original underscore, in this case by Philip Glass (THE HOURS) and it aids the film immeasurably. With Sally Hawkins, Hayley Atwell, Clare Higgins and Phil Davis.