Surprising Age Gaps in Films and TV That We Can't Ignore

Woody Allen and Mariel Hemingway

Woody Allen has long been a controversial figure in Hollywood, and his 1979 film *Manhattan* raises serious questions about his choices. In the movie, Allen’s character, Isaac, pursues a relationship with Tracy, a high schooler played by Mariel Hemingway. At the time, Allen was 43, while Hemingway was just 17—a dynamic that feels deeply inappropriate and unnecessary

This storyline eerily mirrors Allen’s real-life actions, as he later began an affair with Soon-Yi Previn, the adopted daughter of his then-wife, Mia Farrow. How could such behavior be justified? Many argue this reflects the troubling prevalence of the male gaze in Hollywood, where power imbalances and questionable relationships are often normalized. Isn’t it time for the industry to confront these flaws? Allen’s actions, both on and off-screen, highlight a pattern of behavior that continues to spark debate and criticism, reminding us of the need for accountability in entertainment.