1225. Deconstructing Harry

Deconstructing Harry
1997
Directed by Woody Allen

I am currently watching Allen vs. Farrow, which explores the abuse allegations against Woody Allen and his relationship with Soon Yi Previn. It's enough to kill any pleasure you can get from watching his movies. I do think art can be separated from the artist, but Allen's art just seems so personal.

Harry Block is a writer who pulls from the characters in his own life to write his stories, much to rage of his various muses. His ex lover is hysterical and homicidal over his latest work, where he revealed their affair on the page. His ex wife is also furious about her portrayal in his works, and often refuses to let him see his son as result. Harry is due to receive an honorary degree from a college that once kicked him out, and the person he would have liked to have taken most is marrying his best friend.

With such an all star cast, you'd think this movie would have more lasting power. But it's a little too dark, and maybe a bit too honest, to appeal to the mainstream. I think it's fascinating to portray a character who functions better in art than real life. And Allen always makes me laugh. 

It was also a dreamlike film that would appeal to Bergman fans. So if you can still stomach his movies, this is a good one to pick.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Roger Ebert suggested that the character of Harry is based on Philip Roth, not Allen.

Jennifer Garner's feature film debut.

799. Crimes and Misdemeanors

Crimes and Misdemeanors
1989
Directed by Woody Allen

Is this our last Woody Allen film on the List?  That's depressing.  Well, not more depressing than this movie.

Judah Rosenthal is a successful, beloved ophthalmologist with a great family.  So of course, he has an affair with Dolores, a flight attendant.  Dolores demands that Judah treat her and his wife like human beings (that bitch) and threatens to tell his wife.  Judah is absolutely desperate to shut Dolores up, by any means necessary.  Meanwhile, Clifford Stern (Woody Allen's character) is a documentary filmmaker who agrees to film a documentary on his pompous brother in law Lester.  Stern finds himself falling Lester's producer.  But we aren't as mad as him, because he's funny.

This is another movie that I adore; the eighties are really going out with a bang.  It is darker than any Allen film that has been on the List so far, but still manages to have a sense of humor.  There's really nothing to dislike in this film; great cast, great characters, great dialogue.  And hey, if you want a happy ending you should go see a Hollywood movie!

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Reportedly Woody Allen felt like had been "too nice" to the characters in Hannah and Her Sisters, so created this film as a response to those feelings.

Nora Ephron has a cameo as a wedding guest.

740. Hannah And Her Sisters

Hannah And Her Sisters
1986
Directed by Woody Allen

It's a Woody Allen everyone, so prepare for some hardcore gushing.

The film follows two years in the lives of sisters Hannah, Lee, and Holly.  Hannah's husband Eliot falls for Lee, and the two begin an affair.  Hannah's ex husband Mickey, a hypochondriac writer (guess who plays this character?), finds himself attracted to Holly.  Not a lot of loyalty in this family.  I think if my sister dated any of my exes (or current significant others) my head would explode.

I have always preferred Woody Allen films that feature Diane Keaton, rather than the ones with Mia Farrow.  I like Keaton's screen presence more and prefer comedies with less morally repugnant characters.  Still, it's like choosing your favorite Cadbury chocolate bar.  There are no wrong answers; they are all perfection.  Can you tell I miss England?

Now all I can think of is Cadbury Oreo bars.  Why don't they make them here?  It doesn't make sense.  Oreos are American after all.  Anyway, great film, great cast, great dialogue.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Soon-Yi Previn appears as a guest in the Thanksgiving scenes.  Creep vibes.

Parts of the movie were filmed in Mia Farrow's actual apartment.

726. The Purple Rose of Cairo

The Purple Rose of Cairo

1985

Directed by Woody Allen

Surprisingly, I do not find it hard at all to relate to a girl who escapes her life by spending her free time watching movies.  She said, as she adjusted her orthopedic boot.

Cecilia is a miserable waitress stuck in an abusive relationship.  She goes frequently to the movies, sometimes seeing the same film multiple times.  After going to see The Purple Rose of Cairo (a fictional  RKO Radio Pictures movie) several times, the main character Tom Baxter notices her watching.  Tom Baxter, a handsome cad, walks right off the screen and falls in love with Cecilia.  The film's producers notice Tom is missing so they enlist the help of the actor who plays Tom Baxter to woo Cecilia and steal her from Tom, thus ensuring that the movie will go back to normal.

That was harder to explain than I thought it would be and I'm still not sure I made any sense.  Anyway, it is a great concept and I am sure something we can all connect to (especially since you are reading a movie blog).  It also makes interesting points about what real love is vs. fictionalized love.  Having grown up practically worshipping Mr. Darcy and Ashley Wilkes (don't ask), I know what's it like to be unprepared for real love, expecting everything to work out like it does on screen.

The ending is probably my favorite part.  I won't give anything away, but it's great that you can walk away still feeling like you can love movies.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Woody Allen's favorite film that he made.

656. Manhattan

Manhattan
1979
Directed by Woody Allen

Finally, after a streak of rather grueling films, we get to one of my favorites movies of all time.  I can never decide if I prefer this to Annie Hall, but since no one has ever asked/cared, I guess I don't have to ponder the question too much.

Isaac Davis is a 42 year old television comedy writer who is dating a 17 year old girl.  Eerie foreshadowing.  Anyway, he also pursues a romantic relationship with his friend's mistress.

Beautiful cinematography, wonderful actors, brilliant dialogue; I can't praise this film enough.  Nothing about this film is cliche but somehow it is one of the most realistic romances I have ever seen.  When did romantic comedies start to suck so hard?

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Woody Allen detested this film.

620. Annie Hall

Annie Hall
1977
Directed by Woody Allen

This movie is another obsession of mine.  It is one that I could watch over and over again.  I wrote a paper on it in college (which got an A, although my professor still rejected me when I asked him out; but that's another sad tale).  Most recently, I forced a friend of mine to watch it in Florida.  He said that I was Annie Hall, which is why I enjoy it so much.  Perhaps...

The film explores the relationship between Annie, a neurotic singer, and Alvy Singer, an equally neurotic comedian.  It's incredibly sweet, hilarious, and heartbreaking.  As someone who has an extremely difficult time getting over break ups (as in, I don't get over them), I can testify that the hardest part is replaying your own lobster scenes.  When you were both perfectly happy with each other.  That is something that this movie captures beautifully, particularly because Woody Allen and Diane Keaton dated in real life.

So definitely one of my favorite movies of all time.  Romantic comedies don't get any better than this.  Seriously.  Have you seen Moonstruck?

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Diane Keaton's real name Diane Hall and people frequently call her Annie.

569. Sleeper

Sleeper
1973
Directed by Woody Allen

This is the beginning of many Woody Allen raves you will read on my blog.  This makes my mother and sister very uncomfortable, considering Allen's creepy personal life.  I did end up taking down the poster of him in my room, but I still find his movies hilarious.  Compromise.

Miles Monroe is cryogenically frozen for 200 years and revived in the future.  He is awakened by members of a rebellion, hoping to use him as a spy.  Hilarity ensues and of course, Diane Keaton is adorable.

Well this certainly isn't the strongest Woody Allen comedy we will see.  I just watched Annie Hall again a couple nights ago (and forced a reluctant friend to watch it with me) and it is hard not to compare it.  Still, it is witty and fun and loads better than any comedy that has come out recently.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Woody Allen consulted with Isaac Asimov about the scientific feasibility of his movie.