Woody Allen Filmography

Crazy and weird ideas, nice action and superb dialogue delivery, funny one liners and occasionally some mind blowing stuff. This is how you can describe Woody Allen. I havent watched all his movies yet. Been getting some time to view movies and so decided to view all Allen films one by one. Let us see hw our views change with each movie.

Planning to write a breif write up (or may be a review) hoping it would benefit the readers. I always try to educate my readers (U knw that :D).

1) Bananas (1971)

After being dumped by her activist girl friend for obvious reasons, Marshal (Allen) takes his life changing decision and becomes a part of a rebellion. An unexpected drama happens and yeah, obviously he wins her back. Movie is no doubt funny. Funny modern office equipment, some interesting metaphors (sex and boxing), good dialogues and very funny one liners. Some where deep down there is also a social commentary highlighting the fact that a rebellion anywhere finally lands up the leader of the rebellion becoming the new dictator and thereby needing one more rebellion and a leader. Thus rebellions suck and democracy roxx..This is it about. And yeah, dont run for it. You can alays find a better one than this.

2) Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But were Afraid to Ask) (1972)

Well here is the movie for perverts. Good (but definitely pervert and crazy) ideas probably on paper (chastity belt, sex with sheep, orgasm in public, experiment with women's clothes, giant breast etc) but the implementation seemed to fail on the screen. Atleast for me.  I couldn't watch it. I have seen many better pervert Indian films.

3) Love and Death (1975)

A satire on Russian literature, life style, patriotism and probably highly sentimental feelings too. A great achievement. Wonderful dialogues, music, taking and acting. Diane Keaton and Allen were simply mind blowing. If you read the classics of Tolstoy,  Dostoevsky & probably few others(I'm not aware of as of now) there is no doubt you enjoy each and every frame in the film.Don't know the fate of viewers for whom the Russian classics are an alien. I enjoyed the 1st part immensely though the plot to assassinate Napoleon in the end might bore you.

4) Annie Hall (1977)

A guys (not a normal guy as Allen himself stars in the film :D) attempt to understand the reasons for the failure of his relationship with Annie, his girl friend. Pretty normal theme about the making and breaking of a good relationship but the way it is narrated makes the difference and pulls it apart from the herd. Good dialogues, screen play, techniques and memorable acting. Very beautifully presented. A Study in Relationships is all I can say. The flow is so natural and keeps you so immersed that you land up wondering how beautiful and complicated a relationship can be. No doubt he desperately tries to understand the reasons for the failure of the relationship. ANNIE HALL is that wonderful (Though the point of view is Allen's, we end up loving Annie thought the theme is a relationship breakup..Great achievement right..). May not be one of the best films ever but definitely one of Allen's best films.

5) Interiors (1978)

Parents separation and the resulting psychological effects on the grown up 'career' oriented children. The atmospheric effect (mostly the result of the stubborn mother who feels pretty confident about herself) preys up on pretty normal ones too which is clearly evident with the entry of another woman (Fathers lover) in to the house. The woman who seemed to have embraced happiness all her life feels helpless in the new atmosphere. Resulting frustration, effect on others, effect on their careers not to mention the psychological trauma the children undergo are very beautifully shown. Slow, silent and definitely very artistic. Altogether a very different Allen so far.

6) Stardust Memories (1980)

Is about the life of a director who achieved success with the films but hasn't had found any success in his search for the perfect partner for him. Inline with this is the folly of present day fans and media that pissess of the Great Director. Probably a satire on the workings of filmy media, critics and the fans. Reminded me of Fellini's 8 1/2 though it is more personal over here. Don't know why some of the critics lauded it as one of the best films. I felt I needed some break for viewing Allen films after this particular film.

7) A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy (1982)

A Distinguished philosopher and his much younger fiance goes to spend a weekend in the country with his cousin and her crackpot inventor husband (very very funny Allen). Also on the guest list is womanizing doctor and his latest girlfriend, a free-thinking nurse. Over the course of the weekend, old romances reignite, new romances develop, and everyone ends up sneaking off behind everyone else's backs. Right opportunity and a Pleasant atmosphere and everyone would be breaking the code probably. I feel this is what the movie conveys. Made me think about the success of institution of marriage for a while. Is it merely because of the desire control, compromise and control? What if everyone happens to get an opportunity one hasn't anticipated. Overall, a decent film.

8) Zelig (1983)

Zelig is about Leonard Zelig (Starred by Allen), who has got the ability to take on the characteristics of personalities around him. He soon gains international fame as a “human chaleleon”. Experiments made by a female psychiatrist make him develop a personality which is violently intolerant of other people’s opinions. Not to mention the love that blossoms between them.

         It is one of the most fascinating Allen’s films I have watched so far. A great film which I have thoroughly enjoyed watching. Apart from being funny, like Kubrick’s “Clockwork Orange” it has got a strong undercurrent theme which when analyzed gives psychological glimpse in to the human behavior. Though to a smaller extent, don’t we change our behavior suiting the atmosphere we are at?

8) The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)

The Purple Rose of Cairo, set during the Great Depression is the tale of a waitress who very often goes to movies to escape her loveless, abusive married life. Very strangely, film character (Tom) leaves the “film” world and enters the real world letting her know how he loves her. Things become more complicated when real Tom also appears stating that he too is mad for her. She now has to choose one among them.

          The theme of the film did not excite me.  However, given the theme, I felt the screen play and direction good. Intended point is clearly shown. Her dilemma in choosing the real actor (real world) and screen actor (dreamy world) is neatly brought out. The plot becomes real and gains strength when real actor Tom dumps her for his career and takes back filmy world Tom. Reality should piss her of. Isn’t it?

     “THE DREAM OF THE DREAMERS WILL ALWAYS REMAIN A DREAM” is probably the intended theme.

8) Hannah and Her Sister (1986)

An adulterous romance with Sister (Hanna)’s husband and the consequences. Feelings of the victim (Hanna) are easily known as the sisters discuss the issues often. That’s a great feedback which makes them think. But what if the situation is in such a way that the feelings of the victim are not known to the culprit? And what if the secrets which are supposed be buried with the partners gets exposed somewhere else?

        Very intelligent plot about the intertwined and a bit complicated relationships of an extended family over a period of time. Relationship study being Allen's favorite subject, he guides you extremely well as a director. At the same time acting in a funny role dealing with existential crisis and religious conversion, Allen entertains you to the maximum extent. Definitely, a worth watch.

9. Radio Days (1987)

Radio Days, a film that looks back on an American family's life during the Golden age of Radio Days and the way Radio influenced their lives.

         Plot though seemed to be interesting but I got bored watching it. I wanted to exit the film but managed to watch it completely just for the sake of completing it. Nothing special about the film except probably the concept of Good Old Days which might make you remember something of your own.