Like Quentin Tarantino or Martin Scorsese Woody Allen is another director who loves the moves. He loves talking about them and he always has references to a wide range of movies in his movies.
Casablanca has often been called one of the greatest scripts to be written and filmed. And it has the fairytale quality that so many films of that time did have. So what better a subject for the Allen in transition between Sleeper and Annie Hall to tackle then retell Casablanca in his own style.
In this movie the Woody Allen character is brought out to the full level of his neurosis. He is constantly nervous and fidgety and Allen gives a great performance. There are some really genuine laugh out loud moments.
The movie explores many of the themes that would later be explored in Annie Hall and be furthered in Husbands and Wives. It is as all of Allen's films are about relationships. A man who doesn't know what to after his divorce. A couple who are very comfortable with each other and they feel no need for the so called intimate moments in life.
Allan tries to become like Bogart. Bogart is actually a character in the film and he constantly tries to advise Allan and the exchanges between them are pure gold. One thing I didn't like was that the guy who played Bogart didn't do a good job and that made it lose the charm. Plus they showed his face and he didn't look like Bogart. Hoever, that might have been intentional to show the character's neurosis.
There are constant references to Casablanca and the plot in essence is a retelling of Casablanca and retains much of the plot elements but in distinctly Allen style. He doesn't direct the movie for some reason. Herbert Ross directs and I think Allen would have done a better job. What I have noticed about Allen's films is that he shows love stories without the love scenes and kissing that are not really central to the plot. Herbert Ross feels it necessary and there are a couple of kissing scenes in the movie that seem out of place.
Play it Again, Sam stands out as a comedy in its own right. Though it may seem a parody it is not one at all. It brings out Allen's love for Casablanca and showcases his talents as an actor. We see the chemistry that Allen and Keaton share here which would later also be used in Annie Hall. It could have wrong in so many ways but Allen in the 70's could do no wrong. This is another great addition to his filmography.
Casablanca has often been called one of the greatest scripts to be written and filmed. And it has the fairytale quality that so many films of that time did have. So what better a subject for the Allen in transition between Sleeper and Annie Hall to tackle then retell Casablanca in his own style.
In this movie the Woody Allen character is brought out to the full level of his neurosis. He is constantly nervous and fidgety and Allen gives a great performance. There are some really genuine laugh out loud moments.
The movie explores many of the themes that would later be explored in Annie Hall and be furthered in Husbands and Wives. It is as all of Allen's films are about relationships. A man who doesn't know what to after his divorce. A couple who are very comfortable with each other and they feel no need for the so called intimate moments in life.
Allan tries to become like Bogart. Bogart is actually a character in the film and he constantly tries to advise Allan and the exchanges between them are pure gold. One thing I didn't like was that the guy who played Bogart didn't do a good job and that made it lose the charm. Plus they showed his face and he didn't look like Bogart. Hoever, that might have been intentional to show the character's neurosis.
There are constant references to Casablanca and the plot in essence is a retelling of Casablanca and retains much of the plot elements but in distinctly Allen style. He doesn't direct the movie for some reason. Herbert Ross directs and I think Allen would have done a better job. What I have noticed about Allen's films is that he shows love stories without the love scenes and kissing that are not really central to the plot. Herbert Ross feels it necessary and there are a couple of kissing scenes in the movie that seem out of place.
Play it Again, Sam stands out as a comedy in its own right. Though it may seem a parody it is not one at all. It brings out Allen's love for Casablanca and showcases his talents as an actor. We see the chemistry that Allen and Keaton share here which would later also be used in Annie Hall. It could have wrong in so many ways but Allen in the 70's could do no wrong. This is another great addition to his filmography.