Woody Allen: A
Documentary (2012) (documentary) (1 hr 53 mins)
This
engaging documentary from Robert Weide is a timely reminder of the comic genius
of one of the world’s great comic actors and film directors. If you only know
Allen from Midnight in Paris, be
assured that he has made many better and funnier films in a long and
distinguished career.
There are
interviews with Allen’s family and friends, critics and actors including Diane
Keaton, Scarlett Johansson, Josh Brolin, Naomi Watts, Penelope Cruz, Larry
David, Mariel Hemingway and Marshall Brickman. However, the most revealing
scenes are the reflections of Woody Allen himself. It becomes clear that he is
not motivated by money or fame but by the hope of making a great film worthy of
his heroes, Fellini and Bergman. He is clearly disappointed at how some of his
films have turned out, though why he should single out Manhattan for criticism (widely regarded as one of his very best
films) is puzzling.
At the start
of the film, Allen reveals that it is the writing of scripts that is his first
love. Translating the screenplay into film is a frustrating process for him.
His first involvement in film came when he was commissioned to write the
screenplay for What’s New Pussycat? (1965).
Studio interference mangled his script and left him feeling bitter. He resolved
that if he ever made his own films, he would demand complete control. He’s
never had any studio interference on any of his films.
The
documentary gives an informative account of Allen’s background, an upbringing
in Brooklyn, his early love of the cinema, early success as a gag writer for
newspaper columnists and how he forced himself through the ordeal of stand-up
comedy until he made himself a success.
The film
provides a good overview of Allen’s career as a film director but it was a
shame there wasn’t more attention given to some of his best films, particularly
Hannah and Her Sisters and Crimes and Misdemeanours, two of his
most ambitious and critically acclaimed films. After the scandal over his
private life when he left Mia Farrow to marry Farrow’s adopted daughter,
Soon-Yi Previn, his films struggled to secure a cinema release for a number of
years, which led to some good films being rather overlooked. These included the
very funny comedies Anything Else and
Curse of the Jade Scorpion.
One of the
features of Allen’s film career has been how many established film actors have
wanted to star in his films. Very few have turned him down. Scarlett Johansson and
Naomi Watts speak of appreciating the freedom he gives actors to interpret the
script in whatever way they see fit. On the other hand, Josh Brolin clearly
wanted more of a steer from the director.
Allen comes
across in this documentary as a driven man, compelled to bring out a film every
year. He also appears to be a humble, warm and very funny man. If you enjoy
this film, you’ll also enjoy Wild Man
Blues, a 1997 documentary by Barbara Kopple of the European tour Allen
undertook with his jazz band. That film reveals a Woody Allen close to his neurotic
screen persona, and again brings out his natural humour and warmth.
There have
been some great Woody Allen films, a lot of very good ones and quite a few
mediocre efforts. Let’s hope he will be remembered for his best films, which
hold their own against the very best films ever made. He should certainly be
remembered as the funniest film actor there has ever been.
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