Digital Copy Year 2015 Theatrical Release 2015-07-17 Video Release 2016-01-12 Studio Sony Pictures Classics Genre Drama MPAA Rating R CARA some language and sexual content Color Color Runtime 95 Animated Live-Action Full Synopsis Philosophy professor Abe Lucas Joaquin Phoenix is at rock bottom emotionally, unable to find any meaning or joy in life. Abe feels that everything he's tried to do, from political activism to teaching, hasn't made any difference. Soon after arriving to teach at a small town college, Abe gets involved with two women Rita Richards Parker Posey , a lonely professor who wants him to rescue her from her unhappy marriage; and Jill Pollard Emma Stone , his best student, who becomes his closest friend. While Jill loves her boyfriend Roy Jamie Blackley , she finds Abe's tortured, artistic personality and exotic past irresistible. Even as Abe displays signs of mental imbalance, Jill's fascination with him only grows. Still, when she tries to make their relationship a romantic one, he rebuffs her. Pure chance changes everything when Abe and Jill overhear a stranger's conversation and become drawn in. Once Abe makes a profound choice, he is able to embrace life to the fullest again. But his decision sets off a chain of events that will affect him, Jill and Rita forever. Director Woody Allen Cast Woody Allen; Joaquin Phoenix; Emma Stone; Parker Posey; Jamie Blackley; Ethan Phillips; Betsy Aidem; Ben Rosenfield; David Aaron Baker; Susan Pourfar