Diane Keaton's new movie, Mack & Rita, just came out on August 12th, and fans of the actor's work have reason to celebrate as they reflect upon the best movies in her career, so far. She's provided audiences with a huge range of different projects, and whilst some have been better than others, she's always offered outstanding performances.
Though Keaton's career has understandably slowed down in recent years, there was a time in the '70s and '80s when she was one of the most sought-after names in all Hollywood - and that doesn't happen without starring in a few great movies.
Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) - 3.6/5
Manhattan Murder Mystery sees long-time collaborators Diane Keaton and Woody Allen return for yet another New York-based comedy - this time focusing on the couple's amateur investigation of a local homicide, which causes fractions between the pair as they compete to solve the riddle.
Although it's not Allen's most acclaimed or prestigious film, Manhattan Murder Mystery is one of his most entertaining, so far. It marks a departure from his usual style, offering a much more lighthearted and less romanticized look at the world.
Play It Again, Sam (1972) - 3.7/5
One of Diane Keaton's earliest films, Herbert Ross' Play It Again Sam is a great comedy about one man's life of failed romance, before he becomes inspired by Humphrey Bogart's brooding personality and takes lessons in love from his closest friends.
Play It Again Sam is one of those rare comedy movies from the '70s that remains hilarious today, with much of the humor and most of the performances holding up surprisingly well. The way that it riffs on Bogart's career (particularly his role in Casablanca) is extremely creative and makes for a nice change of pace.
Interiors (1978) - 3.7/5
Diane Keaton stars opposite a huge selection of talented actresses in Interiors, including Geraldine Page, Kristin Griffith, and Mary Beth Hurt. The film chronicles the messy divorce between Page's character, Eve, and her husband, Arthur, which has devastating effects on the lives of her adult daughters.
Interiors was one of Woody Allen's first dramatic features, and more notably, the first of his films in which he didn't appear. It has all the trademarks of a typical Woody Allen film, including the character-driven melodrama and immersive direction.
Radio Days (1987) - 3.7/5
Once again directed by Woody Allen, Radio Days is a much more comedic film that centers around the story of one particular family, told through the anecdotal perspective of one man later in life. Keaton stars opposite Mia Farrow, Seth Green and Dianne Wiest.
Whilst Radio Days might not be Allen's best film, it's ittedly one of his most creative. In each of these stories, told from the perspective of one man as he reminisces upon his life, the radio plays a distinct role in the development of relationships. It's an unusual way to tell a film, but it showcases Allen's creative writing style.
Reds (1981) - 3.8/5
Reds is often cited as one of the greatest romantic stories of the 1980s, and Diane Keaton's lead performance plays a huge role in this. She plays the famous writer Louise Bryant, who fell in love with the legendary American journalist, John Reed. Whilst the film focuses primarily on Reed's character, their relationship plays a huge role in his life.
Many people believe Reds to be one of the best biopics ever made, and whilst 'biopic' wasn't really a term that was used in 1981, it would certainly fall under that criteria today. The way that it presents Reed's life is incredibly creative, played (and direction) to perfection by Warren Beatty.
Love And Death (1975) - 3.8/5
Love and Death was Woody Allen's first attempt at a war/comedy film, and whilst not every aspect has aged perfectly, it's still a stirring examination of war and the lack of autonomy that it demands. Like many of Allen's early films, it boasts a sharp screenplay that puts society and its ideals on trial.
Diane Keaton's role in the film is one of her most interesting yet - playing the beloved cousin of Allen's protagonist, she's the one responsible for bringing his views about the Russian military into question when she comes to him with a devious scheme. She's incredibly fun to watch in the role, and her character serves a clear purpose that she navigates effectively.
Manhattan (1979) - 3.9/5
Another 1970s rom-com, Manhattan tells the story of a middle-aged television writer who falls in love with a teenage girl - but things become even more complicated when he begins to develop feelings for his best friend's mistress. Although Manhattan certainly hasn't aged well at all, it was still acclaimed at the time for its innovative screenplay.
Keaton provides a great performance in the film, even if the central romance feels uncomfortable today. Still, there's no denying the technical craft on display in Manhattan, and the cinematography still looks surprisingly great.
Annie Hall (1977) - 4.0/5
Annie Hall is undoubtedly one of Diane Keaton's most famous films, so far, and its popularity is matched only by its quality. Boasting a layered and philosophical screenplay alongside a wide display of technical craftsmanship, Annie Hall is one of the most captivating and engaging films in Keaton's filmography.
The story follows the titular protagonist as she falls in love with a New York comedian named Alvy Singer - except instead of the traditional structure, the film is told from the self-reflective view of Alvy after their romance has ended, as he contemplates his many mistakes and regrets.
The Godfather: Part II (1974) - 4.5/5
The question of which Godfather film is the best will likely never be answered, but there are many who claim that Part II is a marked improvement over Francis Ford Coppola's initial installment. Not only does it raise the stakes and offer more insight into Michael's character, but The Godfather: Part II also has one of the best movie endings ever.
Michael Corleone is one of the most interesting characters ever put to film, and The Godfather: Part 2 is pretty much just a detailed examination of his personality and his psychology, which makes it incredibly exciting to watch and even more thrilling to dissect and analyze. Every scene feels important and necessary, which might not be true about the other two installments.
The Godfather (1972) - 4.5/5
The first part of Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfathertrilogy is widely considered to be one of the best films ever made, so it's no surprise that it's also the crowning accomplishment of Diane Keaton's career so far. She plays Kay Adams, the wife of protagonist Michael Corleone.
The Godfather pretty much created the gangster genre in cinema, and without its intense storytelling and immaculate craft, there are plenty of films that we now consider classics that simply wouldn't exist today. It's for this reason that the film is so widely praised, even fifty years after its release.
