Mighty Aphrodite movie storyline. Lenny and Amanda have an adopted son Max who turns out to be brilliant. Lenny becomes obsessed with finding Max’s real parents because he believes that they too must be brilliant. When he finds that Linda Ash is Max’ real mother, Lenny is disappointed. Linda is a prostitute and porn star. On top of that, she is quite possibly the dumbest person Lenny has ever met. Interwoven is a Greek chorus linking the story with the story of Oedipus.
Mighty Aphrodite is a 1995 American romantic comedy film written, directed by, and co-starring Woody Allen, alongside Mira Sorvino, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Rapaport, and F. Murray Abraham. The screenplay was inspired by the story of Pygmalion and is about Lenny Weinrib’s (Allen) search for his genius adopted son’s biological mother, ultimately finding that she is a dim-witted prostitute named Linda Ash (Sorvino).
While critical reception of Mighty Aphrodite overall was mildly positive, Sorvino was widely praised for her performance, winning the 1995 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, as well as a Golden Globe Award, New York Film Critics Circle Award, Critics’ Choice Movie Award, National Board of Review Award, and a Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award.
About the Story
The film opens on ancient Greek ruins where a chanting Greek chorus introduces and narrates the story of Lenny Weinrib. Lenny is a sportswriter in Manhattan, married to ambitious curator Amanda. The couple decide to adopt a baby, a boy they name Max. Lenny is awed by their son who, it becomes increasingly clear, is a gifted child.
Lenny becomes obsessed with learning the identity of Max’s biological mother. After a long search, Lenny is disturbed to find that she is a prostitute and part-time porn star, who uses several names but confesses her birth name is Leslie, and she likes “Linda” because it means beautiful in Spanish, so her current porn star name is Linda Ash. Lenny makes an “appointment” to see her at her apartment. Linda is a bit of a ditz with a crude sense of humor and delusions of becoming a stage actress.
Lenny does not have intercourse with her but instead urges her to get away from prostitution and start a wholesome life. Linda becomes angry, refunds Lenny’s money, and forces him to leave. Lenny, however, is determined to befriend her and improve her life. He first manages to get Linda away from her violent pimp and then attempts to pair Linda with a former boxer, Kevin. They appear to be a well-suited couple until Kevin discovers Linda’s background.
Meanwhile, Lenny and Amanda have been drifting apart, due to Lenny’s obsession with Linda, but also Amanda’s career and her affair with her colleague Jerry (Peter Weller). Amanda tells Lenny she wants to explore her relationship with Jerry. Lenny and Linda console each other over their break-ups, and end up finally engaging in intercourse.
However, the next day Lenny reconciles with Amanda, and they realize that they are still in love. Linda tries unsuccessfully to get back with Kevin but on the drive back to Manhattan, she sees a helicopter dropping out of the sky. She pulls over and gives the pilot, Don, a ride. It is revealed by the Greek chorus that they will end up married, although Linda is now pregnant with Lenny’s child.
Mighty Aphrodite movie trailer.
Mighty Aphrodite (1995)
Directed by: Woody Allen
Starring: Woody Allen, Claire Bloom, Helena Bonham Carter, Olympia Dukakis, Michael Rapaport, Mira Sorvino, F. Murray Abraham, David Ogden Stiers, Jack Warden, Peter Weller
Screenplay by: Woody Allen
Production Design by: Santo Loquasto
Cinematography by: Carlo Di Palma
Film Editing by: Susan E. Morse
Costume Design by: Jeffrey Kurland
Set Decoration by: Susan Bode
Art Direction by: Tom Warren
Music by: Dick Hyman
MPAA Rating: R for language and sex-related material.
Distributed by: Miramax Films
Release Date: October 27, 1995
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