Café Society

Bobby Dorfman, a young man from New York, travels to 1930s Los Angeles in search of a foothold in the film industry. He steps into a glittering but morally hazy social scene where money, charm, and clever talk open doors he never imagined. There he falls for Vonnie, a woman with a cautious heart and a world weary by romance. The city hums with ambitious players, glamorous parties, and old men with secrets, and Bobby finds himself pulled in multiple directions as he tries to balance work, love, and belonging. What begins as a pursuit of opportunity grows into a delicate web of choices. Old friends from back east join him in parties, schemes, and dreams. It stays playful though.

Directed by Woody Allen, Café Society was released in 2016 as an original screenplay crafted from Allen's memories of 1930s Hollywood. The film showcases his signature dialogue rhythms, warm cinematography, and a playful yet thoughtful look at romantic choices today.

Box office receipts total around $43,763,247 worldwide against a $30,000,000 budget, indicating a modest but steady performance for a Woody Allen period romance. It performed strongest in North America, with international markets contributing a smaller share and smaller prestige titles.

Cafes, talk, and social games define the film's atmosphere, echoing a vanished era of glamour and ambition. The LA cafés become a character of their own, influencing how viewers recall 1930s Hollywood on screen and in pop culture discussions. The look and soundtrack invite comparisons with classic studio era romance.

Critics gave Café Society mixed to positive notices, praising the cast and the era ambiance while some found the plot lighter than its production values. The performances by Eisenberg and Stewart ground the film with humor and restraint, while Allen's nostalgic mood shapes the themes for better and worse overall.