We delved into the Woody Allen box-set again a couple of nights ago. Most inappropriately Sharon and I have taken it in turns to be unwell since Christmas so we have watched a lot on the television whilst kept from our normally giddy social life. Those detecting a heavy dose of sarcasm in that last remark will not be wide of the mark.
The only problem (and for reasons I will go into it is probably not really a problem anyway) with watching a lot of Wooody Allen is that you can see some of the jokes coming. Not that I'm complaining - I have always liked Jewish masturbation jokes. In this film it comes (ooh err Mrs) early on - Woody's wife suggests that they cannot have children because he has 'ruined' himself - perhaps by excessive masturbation - 'Leave my hobbies alone' ,Woody snaps back
Hannah and Her Sisters isn't really a film with anywhere to go but it meanders beautifully and is graced by a performance from an absolute master of cinematic acting, Michael Caine. Less is so much more in his hands. As to the familiarity of Allen's themes and methods, well, when Wayne Rooney scores a goal one doesn't bemoan having seen him do it before. Woody Allen is a prolific goal scorer.
And next we have the absolute antidote to the complete guff that is
Anonymous (see film number 1 in this thread). I have often opined on the role of the clever bastard in cultural delivery and now I give you Exhibit A - Tom Stoppard. What an absolute blinding screenplay he delivered for
Shakespeare In Love. Where
Anonymous pretends to learning,
Shakespeare In Love wears genuine scholarship lightly. Where
Anonymous insults great reputations,
Shakespeare In Love gently burnishes them without being po-faced. And another thing - hiding behind the Oscar winning efforts of Gwyneth Paltrow and Judi Dench there is a seriously good supporting turn from Ben Affleck. A cracking good film. In case you have missed the point -
Anonymous is a steaming pile of manure.
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