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Why couldn't Woody have made more films like this???

posted 15 years ago by national_bouton-1
9 replies | jump to latest

Even though they were not wildly applauded at the time of their release- and therein may lie the problem- I wish that Woody Allen had made more of these films in the last decade. Dark and serious films like INTERIORS, SEPTEMBER and ANOTHER WOMAN, which I have always found very moving, even in my early 20s when it was released.

I know he got castigated for trying to out-Ingmar Bergman, but I'd rather have some serious misfires than the awkward squirm-inducement of Larry David marrying Evan Rachel Wood in WHATEVER WORKS.

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA was a happy exception (and MATCH POINT was okay) but some of the recent films have been close to unwatchable.

[–] Endut_Hoch_Hech 15 years ago

I agree with everything above. I was 20 when I first saw ANOTHER WOMAN, and far from it having no relevance to my life at the time, I was engrossed and deeply moved. I also love the fact that its rhythm is nothing like most American films and the dialogue has a really penetrating quality.

I sort of gave up on Woody Allen after the mediocrity of CELEBRITY and SMALL TIME CROOKS and couldn't bring myself to even look at HOLLYWOOD ENDING or ANYTHING ELSE. I agree, MATCH POINT was something of a return to form and VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA was wonderful. But it would be interesting to see what would result if he gave the "young people in love" theme a rest and maybe wrote some screenplays about people his own age again, whether comedy or drama. But most of all, like you, I'd love to see another "chamber" style straight drama like INTERIORS, ANOTHER WOMAN or SEPTEMBER. Sadly, in this current climate for junk movies and mediocrity, I don't see him getting the financing.

Thomas, if you is a mouse catcher, I is Lana Turner - which I ain't...

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

This is my favorite Woody Allen film and, quite possibly, my favorite film by any director.

You are right on the mark about the current climate for junk movies and the lack of financing for quality films. Sadly, I think part of the problem may be the youth culture that dominates the box office today. Do grown-ups even go to movies anymore?

While I appreciate all of Woody's works (even "Celebrity" and "Small-Time Crooks"), I much prefer the searing dramas such as this, "Interiors" and "September." These are films that leave their mark long after I have seen them. They have strong casts, scripts and direction – but they are so much more than these elements.

[–] kiasmus 15 years ago

I totally agree with the comments above. Of all Woody's films, this is by far my favourite. It's wonderful and it gets better every time you see it. Sincere, elegant, moving and totally devoid of rethoric. After the too Bergman-loaded "Interiors" and "September", Woody found his own way of expressing deep human conflict in this film. But, alas, after he found himself on the right track he immediately went off course and never came back. I don't know whether that was due to poor critical reception or what. Maybe he preferred to play for sure with the comedies. Anyway, one thing is certain: we lost a great drama director. And I say we lost because nowadays he has definitely went astray. He has become a kind of high class apologist. Houses in Paris and Venice, but no great art since twenty years ago. His success has been a curse to his creative mind.

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

Very well put. Although I like "Interiors" and "September," the films are too self-consciously Bergman-esque to leave much of a mark as great Woody Allen films. And although I like his recent work, I think he's shifted focus from delving deep into the human psyche to exploring relationships and trends a bit more superficially.

I would have loved to have seen a series of films in the vein of "Another Woman," each one with a variety of individuals probing their lives, but at least I'll always have this as a reminder of what a great director Woody was at one point, and what a tremendous loss it is that he's shifted gears.

[–] JuniorMints 15 years ago

I've always loved his comedies, but I agree with the OP...he should (and still might) make more movies like this one. His dramas are always very thought provoking. He's quite the writer.

One thing though, he needs to film a movie in New York....has he done this yet?

(I'm kidding, of course)

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

Indeed! And what's with all the gentiles in his films? Oy Vey!

Seriously, that reminds me of Woody's role in "Scenes From a Mall," where he played a Los Angeleno (with a ponytail!) who hates New Yorkers and their smug attitude. Now that's casting against type!

[–] puzzle_queen 13 years ago

Not twenty years ago! Bullets Over Broadway is a favorite of mine! Watch it again.
As to other movies like this, I think of Alice as the comedy version of Another Woman. She starts out pretty self-unaware and through a series of events (sorry about the cliche) finds herself.
Marianne

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Ehheesel 9 years ago

I saw 'Another Woman' first time today and I really liked that film and it is probably in my personal Woody Allen Top 10. And I adore 'Interiors' that is my most favorite Allen film. Although I love his funnier stuff like 'Annie Hall' very much, I'm more into his serious films. It's probably because I adore Ingmar Bergman movies a lot, and 'Another Woman', 'September' and especially 'Interiors' are very Bergmanlike.

He came into town with his cock in hand, and what he did with it was illegal in 49 states.