Conflict within Crimes and Misdemeanors

The Contribution of Mise-En-Scene to the Central Conflict within Crimes and Misdemeanors by Chris Faris In Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), two parallel stories revolve about a central conflict portraying the human dilemma of making moral or spiritually guided choices versus exercising free will. Within this conflict lie issues of the unfairness of life, marital infidelity, jealousy and guilt. The parallel lives of the two main characters reflect two different approaches in making life choices …

…Judah and Cliff. The two meet and share their perspectives on the choices they have made. Judah has gradually accepted his immorality and, outwardly at least, appears to be making a new commitment to his wife. Cliff remains unfulfilled. Though both are left to arrive at their own final conclusions regarding their choices, it actually appears that Judah has arrived at a point of greater resolution for his "crimes" than Cliff has for his "misdemeanors."