Melinda and Melinda
Two people get into an argument over whether comedies and dramas are preferable. So guy #3 gets involved and presents them with a situation: a woman crashes a dinner party. The two people then create a comedy and drama on that basis in this latest Woody Allen work. The common thread in the two is Melinda (Radha Mitchell). In the drama, Melinda crashes a dinner party of her college friend, who had offered her a place to stay a few months earlier but never showed up. Melinda's husband had just left her after she had an affair and her friends try to hook her up. Instead, she falls for the piano player at another party, which leads into another disaster. In the comedy, Melinda crashes a dinner party held by her neighbors Susan and Hobie (Amanda Peet and Will Ferrell). Susan and Hobie's marriage has been falling apart with their careers going in opposite directions. Hobie begins to get attracted to Melinda but doesn't know how to break it to Susan. However, as one door opens, another closes.

I'd have to go with the comedy on this one. The drama is utterly depressing filled with emotionless characters who couldn't care less about their friends even if they say something different. The comedy though has little more going for it except for the chemistry between Hobie and Melinda, which was limited to a few short minutes. Ferrell is always funny but was surrounded by an unfunny cast and, ultimately, story. But it was entertaining nonetheless. Too bad it was only half the movie. 2 stars