It's always interesting to see directors known for lighter fare delving into darker cinematic territory. Woody Allen is no exception, as more dramatic works like Match Point and Crimes and Misdemeanors even managed to surpass the man's finest comedies. But his heart doesn't seem to be in his latest picture, Cassandra's Dream. A tale of family loyalty being put to the ultimate test, this movie feels like Allen is moving on autopilot and rehashing themes he already visited in previous pictures -- but without that extra bit of effort which left audiences breathless the first time around.

Ian (Ewan McGregor) and Terry (Colin Farrell) are two brothers and the best of friends. Business-savvy Ian has big plans to invest in California hotels; Terry, a simple mechanic, has a gambling problem. Terry's nasty luck at cards lands the poor chap 90,000 pounds in debt. With nowhere else to go (and with Ian looking for a little loan of his own), the siblings approach their rich uncle Howard (Tom Wilkinson) for some money. Howard's more than happy to help them out, but there's a hefty favor the boys must do in return: kill a man who intends to inform the authorities about some of their uncle's dirty business practices. As the deadline to take action approaches, Ian and Terry wrestle with themselves over what to do, their insecurities starting to take a toll on their personal and professional lives.

There's nary a moment in Cassandra's Dream that doesn't feel airlifted from one of Allen's past works. In particular, the idea of someone going through a personal crisis while deciding whether or not to commit suicide serves as a key ingredient in both Crimes and Misdemeanors and Match Point, and an underlying theme involving luck is also previously explored in the latter film. If Allen had put a different spin on these ideas in Cassandra's Dream, it would be excusable. But he fails to turn up any insights he hasn't already conveyed to viewers. Thus, most of the film feels like a director going through the motions, telling the story for the sake of telling it and without any artistic statement to back it up. Even his dialogue and storytelling grow a little repetitive, with way too many thinly-written scenes of Ian and Terry mulling over their crime-to-be and some plot twists that arrive with all the tact of a hippo on rollerskates.

Still, Cassandra's Dream boasts its share of little pleasures. As drawn-out and flat as the story can get sometimes, Allen makes sure viewers are at least interested in how the movie will end. As per usual, the man has assembled a very fine cast, one without too many mixed performances. I didn't buy Farrell's turn as the more emotionally vulnerable and unstable brother, but McGregor is fine as Ian, who remains oblivious to how frighteningly cool he becomes when faced with   the possibility of having to commit murder (not once, but, as it comes to pass, twice as well). The supporting cast is solid as well, but the film's best performance belongs to Wilkinson (a very deserving Oscar nominee for Michael Clayton). His scenes are few, but Wilkinson leaves a chilling and lasting impression as Howard, who details his dire situation to Ian and Terry in a memorable scene done in one, unbroken take.

The title, Cassandra's Dream, refers to the boat Ian and Terry purchase together as the film opens, christened as such after a horse that brought Terry good luck in a race. Alas, luck wasn't on Woody Allen's side in connection with this slick-looking and diverting -- but ultimately disappointing -- return trip  to the thematic well.

MY RATING: ** 1/2 (out of ****)

(Released by The Weinstein Company and rated "PG-13" for profanity and violence.)