Woody-isms
Aug 28th, 2008 | By Rick | Category: News & Comment, People
People in Europe still like Woody
Woody Allen’s new Vicky Cristina Barcelona is getting decidedly mixed reviews, and some of the negative reviews are like they’ve been personally betrayed or something by Woody . . . they’re like critics scorned, saying things like “the same old tripe he’s been doing since ‘Annie Hall’” and “why doesn’t he just go away and stop making these creepy movies where he fawns ripe, nubile flesh.” [Some of these comments are no doubt influenced by his adventures in babysitting of a decade or so ago. So what if he likes 'em young? So does Roman Polanski, and nobody's made him go to Europe and start making films, right?]
Anyway, I have a long-standing fondness for the Wood-meister’s films, although I’ve seen only about a third of his output since 1989’s Crimes and Misdemeanors. Still, I consider even his mediocre films I’ve seen to have redeeming moments, and so when I ran across his “production diary” in the Times the other day, I waxed nostalgic. It ’s good to see he hasn’t lost his sense of humor, or his gift of rapid-fire patter. Some classic Woody:
Shooting got off to a shaky start. Rebecca Hall, though young and in her first major role, is a bit more temperamental than I thought and had me barred from the set. I explained the director must be present to direct the film. Try as I may, I could not convince her and had to disguise as man delivering lunch to sneak back on the set.
I’m reminded that much of his humor is self-deprecating and absurdist, and the next excerpt shows the influence of the Marx Brothers on his writing:
Scarlett came to me today with one of those questions actors ask, “What’s my motivation?” I shot back, “Your salary.” She said fine but that she needed a lot more motivation to continue. About triple. Otherwise she threatened to walk. I called her bluff and walked first. Then she walked. Now we were rather far apart and had to yell to be heard. Then she threatened to hop. I hopped too, and soon we were at an impasse. At the impasse I ran into friends, and we all drank, and of course I got stuck with the check.
And here’s one more, that casts Woody in the role of mentor to Javier Bardem:
Directed Javier in emotional scene today. Had to give him line readings. As long as he imitates me he’s fine. The minute he tries his own acting choices he’s lost. Then he weeps and wonders how he’ll survive when I’m no longer his director. I explained politely but firmly that he must do the best he can without me and to try to remember the tips I’ve given him. I know he was cheered because when I left his trailer, he and his friends were howling with laughter.
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“Decidedly mixed reviews”?? Huh?? It’s been getting fantastic reviews ever since it debuted at Cannes. On top of that, it’s done brilliantly at the box office.
There really should be some kind of IQ test administered before people can start blogging.
Fielding — I don’t know what reviews you’ve been reading, but here’s Kenneth Turan from the L.A. Times:
“”Vicky Cristina Barcelona” has neither the humor nor the insights to captivate. Despite its focus on the romantic entanglements of innocents abroad, it is not only not Henry James, it doesn’t even rise to the level of Henry James Lite.”
or how about this one from J.R. Jones at the Chicago Reader?
“Watching Allen fart out a story when he has no characters is always painful. ”
or James Berdinelli at ReelViews:
“There was hope in 2005 that Woody Allen had re-discovered his groove with the release of Match Point. Since then, however, he has slipped back into the sinkhole of mediocrity that kept him from greatness throughout most of the ’90s and ’00s.”
Decidedly.Mixed.Reviews.
One question: How long have you been a flack for the Weinstein Brothers?
I’d seen this article, and it is priceless! I’ve always loved Woody’s humorous prose writing - to anyone unfamiliar with it, I’d advise you to seek out “The Insanity Defense,” which is a complete collection of his four, previously published volumes of short humor pieces. They are classic.
As of this week, I have now seen every film Allen ever directed (I caught “September” on cable a couple of nights ago.) It’s been a wild, uneven ride, but I always come to an Allen film hoping for the best. Even when his films don’t quite succeed, I always respect the ambition behind them. I’m among those who was disappointed by “VCB,” and I’ll admit that I wish Woody would occasionally write more characters who are closer to his own age. And I’d like to see him come back to working in New York - which apparently he is going to do with his next film.
Pat, I’ll have to check out that collection. I remember reading one a long time ago called “Without Feathers” and busting a gut.
I’ve always had personal affection for Woody’s films and believe him to be one of the greatest of American filmmakers ever. I haven’t seen this yet, and I was so-so with Match Point despite its great reviews, but I agree that even in the mediocre films I find interesting characters, dialogue and situations.
Now as for this: There really should be some kind of IQ test administered before people can start blogging.
Fielding, there is one, duh! Haven’t you taken it? Rick and I both scored in the top one percent of all bloggers (though my score was slightly higher). One of the questions is how to read reviews properly and discern between rapturous and mixed. Something tells me you wouldn’t do too well on that part of the test.
But don’t worry, there are other parts I’m sure you’d ace. For instance, there’s a box office section where you must discern between mega-hit, huge hit, hit, disappointment and disaster. This one was easy as it’s just a matter of viewing empirical data so I’m sure you’d do fine. For instance, Vicky Christina Barcelona has done almost nine million domestically, which is only one away from ten. And you said it’s done “brilliantly” at the box office so… oh, wait a minute.
Um… uh…. you know, it’s probably best if you didn’t take this I.Q. test after all, Fielding. I think playing with balls of yarn is more your speed. Good luck to you and all the best (don’t let those yarn balls roll under the couch).
Rick - “Without Feathers” has always been my favorite of Woody’s books. The others have great stuff, too - but “Without Feathers” really stands out.
(I actually have all of them as individual books - I even still have my yellowed paperback copy of his first book, “Getting Even” that I picked for a whole $1.25 in 1974, when I was a high school freshman and first getting into Woody.)
Jonathan — I agree … I think he is one of the best ever. And he keeps on churning them out, about one a year, for what seems like forever. His output is prodigious, and if he was horrible — just horrible, a pale imitation! — don’t you think he might have trouble getting funding?
And as for Fielding, can you spell f-l-a-m-e? And I remember that IQ test having just a slightly different outcome.
As I believe I said over on your blog, Pat, every filmmaker worth her/his salt has obsessions, sometimes they get tiresome. Just look at Werner Herzog, Fellini, and etc. All the greatest seem to have them, and I love them for it. Alas, it is often a one-way, unrequited love.
Except that time with Giuliana and Federico and me. Ah, Rome in the 50s . . .
Absolutely true, Rick. Can’t think of single one of my favorite directors who hasn’t fallen into a well-worn rut from time to time.
I think everyone has their own personal obsessions, and apparently one of mine is writing about/discussing/arguing over the relative merits of Woody Allen’s films !! : )
Obsessions are great things, aren’t they?
Count me among those completely taken by VCB and I’m no Woody Allen apologist. I like his stuff, but I’ve never obsessed about it.
His diary just made me like it even more. it’s the self-deprecation you mention.
Yeah, I like the fact that he can make fun of himself, as well as his image as a dirty old man.
I cannot wait to see VCB, I love Woody Allen
I like it quite a lot. is it “Annie Hall” or “Manhattan”? No, but what is?