The Purple Rose Of Cairo (1985)

Set in Depression era New Jersey in 1935, a waitress (Mia Farrow) stuck in an unhappy marriage goes to the movies to escape her dismal life. But when one (Jeff Daniels) of the characters in the movie walks off the screen and into her life, things change and she's off on an adventure. Written and directed by Woody Allen. This is easily one of Allen's 2 or 3 best films. A gleaming mixture of fantasy and realism done with style and wit, the movie shows us how movies can create false expectations in our lives yet it also shows us the healing power of movies, however temporary. At the picture's core is Mia Farrow and she has as much to do with the film's success as its screenplay and direction. Farrow has a waifish quality that fits in perfectly with the 1930s (if it were made in 1935, I could see Janet Gaynor in the part). Dressed down as a Depression era drudge, the film still can't disguise her delicate beauty. In the film's final shot, your heart aches for her to the point that it almost seems an abuse of the audience. At under 90 minutes, Allen knows that less is more. The impeccable cast includes Danny Aiello, Dianne Wiest, Van Johnson, Zoe Caldwell, Glenne Headly, Edward Herrmann, Milo O'Shea, John Wood, Karen Akers and Deborah Rush.