“Scenes From A Mall” is one of the few films to star Woody Allen (“Manhattan”, “Annie Hall”) but without him directing it. Allen co-stars alongside Bette Midler (“Hocus Pocus”) and together, they help make “Scenes From A Mall” as intriguing and amazing to watch as some of Allen’s more famous films.

“Scenes From A Mall” isn’t really a comedy (just like many of Allen’s better pictures), it’s simply an honest and mesmerising presentation of reality as we meet the Fifers (Allen and Midler). The two are celebrating their 16th anniversary and decide to go to a shopping centre in Los Angeles. However, revelations about their relationship emerge and the two verbally duke it out.

Allen and Midler are incredibly good here. They’re believable and they do not feel like cut-outs intended for the screen. The problem with the film really comes with the side characters. There’s a dumb mime played by Bill Irwin (“Hot Shots”) as well as a group of rappers the film needlessly cuts to from time to time. What is the purpose of these side characters when you have such fantastic main ones? They are simply are distractions and we quite frankly don’t need any distraction from the great work by Allen and Midler as Nick and Deborah Fifer.

“Scenes From A Mall” is a real gem and I don’t get the criticism this film has received. If it weren’t for the use of pointless extra characters, this film might have acquired top marks, it’s that good. It’s everything that’s great about Allen’s films because it’s witty, it’s poignant, it’s romantic and it’s full of nervousness. Who could do without the nervousness? I enjoyed “Scenes From A Mall” and I think anybody looking to see a film with a brilliant script about the highs and lows of marriage, should definitely seek this one out.