Woody Allen’s Mighty Aphrodite, released in theaters on October 27, 1995, is a modern-day Pygmalion by way of Greek tragedy and New York neurosis—an oddball comedy propelled by sharp writing, inventive structure, and a breakout performance from Mira Sorvino.
With Allen, Sorvino, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Rapaport, F. Murray Abraham, Jack Warden, and Peter Weller in supporting roles, the film walks a tightrope between cynicism and hope, asking whether people can truly change—and how love, in all its messiness, shapes destiny.
Allen plays Lenny Weinrib, a Manhattan sportswriter married to ambitious art curator Amanda (Bonham Carter). The couple adopts a baby boy, Max, who turns out to be a prodigy.
Lenny, increasingly obsessed with discovering the child’s genetics, becomes determined to meet Max’s biological mother.
His search leads to Linda Ash (Sorvino), a bubbly, naïve, and good-hearted prostitute with dreams of becoming an actress.
Lenny’s involvement in Linda’s chaotic life soon spirals out of control, as he tries to “save” her and orchestrate a romance with amiable but dim-witted boxer Kevin (Rapaport).
Meanwhile, Amanda’s career takes off, pulling her into the orbit of the slick Jerry Bender (Weller), causing marital friction and testing Lenny’s loyalty.
The narrative, whimsically narrated by a Greek chorus (led by Abraham), weaves in and out of comedy and heartbreak as Lenny discovers that even his best intentions can’t shape other people’s lives as neatly as he hopes.
The plot climaxes with both Lenny and Linda on uncertain but hopeful paths, touched by their brief friendship and changed by grace.
The film’s most celebrated legacy is undoubtedly Sorvino’s Oscar and Golden Globe-winning turn—her Linda is resilient and hilarious, infusing vulnerability into the film’s often bawdy humor.
Allen’s signature mix of self-mockery and philosophical musing is both playful and oddly profound, while the Greek chorus device foregrounds the ways that ordinary messiness can take on classical resonance.
Olympia Dukakis, David Ogden Stiers, Claire Bloom, Paul Herman and Paul Giamatti round out the supporting cast.
Mighty Aphrodite debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Mira Sorvino in Mighty Aphrodite (Photo/Miramax Films)
Reception for Mighty Aphrodite
Mighty Aphrodite grossed $326,494 on its opening weekend, finishing No. 16 in limited release on 19 screens.
The film would gross $6.5 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film three and a half stars in his review.
Legacy
Mighty Aphrodite was roundly praised upon release, especially for Sorvino’s layered comic performance and today, it remains one of Allen’s most approachable—and surprisingly generous—comedies, notable for its marriage of ancient structure and contemporary wit.
The enduring message, sung in chorus: fate may keep us on our toes, but kindness, surprise, and laughter can shape happier endings than even the gods imagined.
