Taking the cue for its title from Woody Allen’s Love and Death, this biopic was made shortly after Mia Farrow and Woody Allen’s split hit the headlines. Yet for all the scandal associated with the affair, a more appropriate title to describe the film’s effect on the viewing audience comes from another of Woody’s earlier efforts; Sleeper.

Courtesy of intermittent flashbacks, all preceded by clumsy introductions, we are treated to various other infidelities Mia suffered throughout her life. She witnesses firsthand her father’s adultery, both husbands openly cheat on her, and when she seeks spiritual guidance with the Beatles in India, the Maharishi propositions her. All of this could have made fascinating viewing, particularly considering husband number one was none other than Frank Sinatra. Instead, each flashback is so numbingly presented that when Mia starts recalling her past, your sympathies align with the companion who has to endure the story.

Patsy Kensit’s portrayal doesn’t help. Her impersonation of Mia’s hesitant speech pattern, which the actress adopted in her films with Woody, considerably adds to an already long running time.  More successful is Dennis Boutsikaris’s portrayal of Woody Allen, capturing the comic’s idiosyncrasies without resorting to caricature.

Though a mostly even-handed approach by the filmmakers leaves open the question whether Crimes and Misdemeanours were committed, the acrimony between Woody and Mia ensures there is no Hollywood Ending.