In an unnamed Eastern European village at the turn of the century, a meek accountant (Woody Allen) is roused from his bed by a dubious committee he has just been named to in order to patrol the streets in search of a serial killer. Meanwhile, a circus performer (Mia Farrow) leaves her unfaithful husband (John Malkovich) and has an eye opening experience in a whorehouse before joining the neurotic hero on his search efforts which quickly turn into persecutions. Allen's underappreciated Shadows and Fog, though unfocused and murky, is still funny with fine performances from Woody and Mia, brilliant black and white photography, and murky Kafkaesque 19th Century settings blended with Allen's millieu come off surprisingly well.
*** out of ****
