For someone who watches as many movies as I do, to have not seen very many of Woody Allen's older films is a shame. I need to work on that. What Woody needs to work on is making better films nowadays, and falling in love with women (within three decades of) his own age, but I digress...
God, this movie was great. I was floored, completely knocked over by the nuanced and dead-on character studies: Woody Allen's "portrait" of a self-obsessed, neurotic writer; Muriel Hemingway as a 17 year-old going on 35, devoid of self and utterly devoted; Diane Keaton was brilliant as the elitist intelligentsia who wants, above all, to be loved; and the city of New York itself was a character, brooding in sunrise and sunset light, skyscrapers filmed in sweeping panorama to Gershwin's over-emotional score. It is obvious who Woody loves most: the city.
Through rapid and believable dialog and quirky, yet realistic situations, we are shown just the pitch perfect moments to explain who these people are and somehow, we sympathize with them, even though there is very little to like. Really, not much happens in this movie: people meet, argue, have breakfast, pick up their kids, go to the park, get rained on, fall in love, play racquetball, blame each other, hear annoying noises in the apartment, fall out of love, carry on.
Very efficient, effective movie making. It's heartbreaking, and funny and true. Bless you , Woody.
2 comments:
Ellen and I were so thrilled to see this on the big(ger) screen. I'd seen it a few times before, but seeing it on the big screen was truly awesome. Woody's combination of deep ennui and neurotic humor create a unique experience. I love the natural flow of conversation and the romanticizing of the city. Beautiful and engaging. I think Woody Allen's old films are some of the best ever made.
I couldn't agree more about the natural flow of conversations and think Woody is a master at that. Thanks for opening our eyes to Woody, G!
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