From October 2010 to October 2011 I revisited each film from writer, director, and actor Woody Allen in preparation for 2011 – the 40th anniversary of the release of what is considered by many to be Allen’s first film, Bananas. Of course he did release a few films prior, but it was Bananas that was the first to begin the yearly string of releases that came to be known as the quintessential Woody Allen film.
Allen has for years been one of my top five favorite directors, and looking back at his long career (one film per year for 40 years) it’s really quite astounding. Sure, it’s true that most of the time Allen doesn’t branch out nearly as much as other filmmakers. But there is a particular and familiar universe that he has created and lives in 99% of the time, and it’s a style all his own, a world where he invites you into every year – to meet new characters, and the stories they have to tell.
My reviewing skills are admittedly not very strong, and the famous quote from Truman Capote – “it isn’t writing at all – it’s typing” – is never more prevalent than with these short reviews, but none the less this was very fun for me to revisit all these movies again over the past months – and exciting to share at least a few of my basic thoughts to the world (ha!) on one of my top five favorite filmmakers. The timing couldn’t be more fitting as well not only because of the 40th anniversary of Bananas, but because that year saw the release, surprisingly enough, of Allen’s biggest financial success in the United States – Midnight in Paris. These are in order of release, beginning with 1971’s Bananas and ending with 2011’s Midnight in Paris.
Woody Allen
A Ghostlife Retrospective
Radio Days
This is one of the few, if not only comedy of Allen’s that doesn’t need to venture into near slapstick territory to be really fun to watch. While still changing the names of the characters, this is very clearly one of Allen’s most autobiographical, depicting the early teen years of his childhood in the days when families gathered around the radio in its golden age instead of the televisions and computers of today. The cast is fantastic, including of course Mia Farrow (wow – that accent!), and then the charming Dianne Wiest, Julie Kavner, Wallace Shawn and one of the first roles from Seth Green, who plays Joe – the Allen character. They all fill this insanely nostalgic film with perfect comedic performances next to its beautiful art direction (Oscar nod), which in my view makes this an instant classic on par with A Christmas Story. Of course it isn’t a seasonal classic, but the quality is right up there, if not better. It’s hard to beat funny sequences including a segment depicting one’s reaction to The War of the Worlds radio drama that confused so many listeners, and the opening segment when a radio show calls a home and the phone is answered by burglars who have just broken into it. Essentially the film is a series of comedic vignettes about those unique days of radio, but they are sewn together perfectly under the guise of Allen. Highly recommended. And keep an eye out for Larry David who plays a very small part in one of his few roles in an Allen movie. Just listen for the yelling, if you watch Curb Your Enthusiasm, you can’t miss it.
A
1987