Of Woody Allen's recent films, both Anything Else (2003) and Match Point (2005) showed welcome signs of life, hints of virtuosity and resources yet untapped. So let's assume those, not the tired and resolutely uninvolving Cassandra's Dream, represent Allen at the dawn of the 21st century.

Allen's latest, his 42nd effort as a director, is the work of an artist devoid of ideas and energy. Perfunctorily staged and lazily written, it comes to life in only the briefest of spurts, usually when the ever-reliable Tom Wilkinson is on-screen.

Cassandra's Dream (The Weinstein Co.) Starring Ewan McGregor, Colin Farrell. Directed by Woody Allen. Rated PG-13. Time 108 minutes.