This hilarious ode to Woody Allen's love of the movies, The Purple Rose of Cairo tells the story of a woman who is unhappy with every aspect of her life except when she's sitting in front of the magical flicker of the silver screen.

I do not use the word "magical" lightly, but to say more would be to give away the movie's best surprises. Suffice it to say that this is an absolutely enchanting film, funny, yes, but mostly it's just delightful, inspiring with its heart and humor. Critics too often forget this one when they speak of Allen's best films, perhaps because it's not as meaty as some of his others. But it does have a lot to say, about how the movies complement real life. This is one of Allen's most entertaining films and might just be my personal favorite.