Which Woody would he start with?
April 23, 2009 9:00 AM Subscribe
I realized while talking to a coworker today that i have never actually watched a Woody Allen movie, and I feel like I'm missing out. Which Woody Allen movie should I start with?
I guess I'm looking for "classic" Woody Allen..not necessarily an older film, but one that a fan of his would watch and know immediately as one of his. I'll probably watch a slew of them (thanks, Netflix!) so don't feel limited to one film, I'm just trying to get a feel for where to start.
I guess I'm looking for "classic" Woody Allen..not necessarily an older film, but one that a fan of his would watch and know immediately as one of his. I'll probably watch a slew of them (thanks, Netflix!) so don't feel limited to one film, I'm just trying to get a feel for where to start.
Add to that list Crimes and Misdemeanors and Match Point.
posted by valkyryn at 9:02 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by valkyryn at 9:02 AM on April 23, 2009
Start with Annie Hall.
posted by Perplexity at 9:03 AM on April 23, 2009 [7 favorites]
posted by Perplexity at 9:03 AM on April 23, 2009 [7 favorites]
Annie Hall and Hannah and Her Sisters are my favorites. Manhattan, Crimes and Misdemeanors and Manhattan Murder mystery follow closely behind. Oh, and Radio Days is very sweet and sentimental, rather than the "neurotic WASPs and Jews" c haracters who are always in analysis, who characterize Annie Hall etc...I love all things Woody, however.
posted by sweetkid at 9:04 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by sweetkid at 9:04 AM on April 23, 2009
Manhattan, Annie Hall are representative of his work that doesn't suck.
But I thought Love And Death showed his quirky, referential side very well too.
posted by munchingzombie at 9:04 AM on April 23, 2009
But I thought Love And Death showed his quirky, referential side very well too.
posted by munchingzombie at 9:04 AM on April 23, 2009
Annie Hall. I've said this before, but Annie Hall is one of only two* universally revered movies that is as good as people make it out to be.
* Casablanca, of course.
posted by dirtdirt at 9:06 AM on April 23, 2009
* Casablanca, of course.
posted by dirtdirt at 9:06 AM on April 23, 2009
My two favorites are "Crimes and Misdemeanors and "Sweet and Lowdown". I also love "Melinda and Melinda" and "Small Time Crooks". "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is chick porn, as far as I am concerned. "Hannah and her Sisters" is tremendous; I think I've done enough damage. Sorry about going a little overboard.
posted by msali at 9:06 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by msali at 9:06 AM on April 23, 2009
"Annie Hall" and "Manhattan" are great films- they're both kind of bittersweet romantic comedies.
However a lot of people are surprised to find out that earlier in his career he made a lot of straight-up silly comedies. If that's more your style, I'd start with "Sleeper."
posted by drjimmy11 at 9:07 AM on April 23, 2009
However a lot of people are surprised to find out that earlier in his career he made a lot of straight-up silly comedies. If that's more your style, I'd start with "Sleeper."
posted by drjimmy11 at 9:07 AM on April 23, 2009
Start with Match Point. That way if you don't end up liking Woody Allen movies at least you got to stare at Scarlett Johansson being hot for a couple hours.
posted by allkindsoftime at 9:07 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by allkindsoftime at 9:07 AM on April 23, 2009
Annie Hall is less funny than you'd think, but still has plenty of great lines and the wonderful Marshall McLuhan scene, not to mention a funny little animated sequence as well. That and Sleeper are my two faves, but The Purple Rose of Cairo and Manhattan are likewise quite good. None of these movies suck.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 9:11 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 9:11 AM on April 23, 2009
And, I'm sorry, but What's Up Tiger Lily? cracks me up every time, and I do mean every. Single. Time.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 9:12 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 9:12 AM on April 23, 2009
Best answer: You have to start with Annie Hall. You just have to.
Then I would continue (in order) with Manhattan, Bullets over Broadway, Hannah and Her Sisters, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Everyone Says I Love You, Celebrity (just for Branagh's Allen impression) and finally Match Point. I think that's a good overview of the various subgenres with the Woody Allen ouevre.
posted by meerkatty at 9:16 AM on April 23, 2009
Then I would continue (in order) with Manhattan, Bullets over Broadway, Hannah and Her Sisters, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Everyone Says I Love You, Celebrity (just for Branagh's Allen impression) and finally Match Point. I think that's a good overview of the various subgenres with the Woody Allen ouevre.
posted by meerkatty at 9:16 AM on April 23, 2009
I loved Husbands and Wives.
posted by Dragonness at 9:19 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by Dragonness at 9:19 AM on April 23, 2009
mattdidthat has a nice round-up of "introduction to Woody" movies. I'd second Love and Death as essential, especially if you like send-ups of literature (Camus, "War and Peace" spring to mind, there's probably more that I'm not aware of).
Throw in Sleeper as well for wacky, slapstick fun.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 9:20 AM on April 23, 2009
Throw in Sleeper as well for wacky, slapstick fun.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 9:20 AM on April 23, 2009
Nthing Annie Hall. For the sillier side of things, you really can't go wrong with Sleeper, Love&Death, Take the Money and Run, or, for the *very* silly, try What's Up Tiger Lilly.
posted by bluejayway at 9:20 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by bluejayway at 9:20 AM on April 23, 2009
Manhattan and Annie Hall. Everything else is secondary.
Manhattan is more of a conventionally good movie. Annie Hall is more dazzlingly innovative but has weaker character development.
Sleeper is really not as great as some would have you believe. Sweet and Lowdown is very good, but not a good introduction to Woody Allen since he's not in it.
posted by Jaltcoh at 9:30 AM on April 23, 2009
Manhattan is more of a conventionally good movie. Annie Hall is more dazzlingly innovative but has weaker character development.
Sleeper is really not as great as some would have you believe. Sweet and Lowdown is very good, but not a good introduction to Woody Allen since he's not in it.
posted by Jaltcoh at 9:30 AM on April 23, 2009
Annie Hall!
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:31 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:31 AM on April 23, 2009
I should add: Manhattan (which is in B&W) has my favorite combination of cinematography and soundtrack of any movie I've ever seen, period.
posted by Jaltcoh at 9:31 AM on April 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Jaltcoh at 9:31 AM on April 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
I found that Annie Hall has aged very poorly. Manhattan would be a much better bet for "golden age" Allen. Though Hannah and Her Sisters is probably his most universally entertaining. [Admitted bias: Huge Barbara Hershey fan here.]
posted by Joe Beese at 9:31 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by Joe Beese at 9:31 AM on April 23, 2009
I prefer older Woody, and I'll stipulate that "Annie Hall," "Manhattan," and "Hannah and her Sisters" are all great, great films.
But for me, what really does it are "Take the Money and Run," and "Bananas." Please watch them, for they are hilarious. But I also really like "Zelig," so some people immediately discount my opinion.
But if you see all the films I've mentioned here, then you'll know pretty much everything you need to about Woody Allen. If you also know that he's a jerk, that is.
posted by Shohn at 9:36 AM on April 23, 2009
But for me, what really does it are "Take the Money and Run," and "Bananas." Please watch them, for they are hilarious. But I also really like "Zelig," so some people immediately discount my opinion.
But if you see all the films I've mentioned here, then you'll know pretty much everything you need to about Woody Allen. If you also know that he's a jerk, that is.
posted by Shohn at 9:36 AM on April 23, 2009
Sleeper - classic Allen, his best comedy.
Stardust Memories quote: "You want to do mankind a real service? Tell funnier jokes."
posted by zippy at 9:40 AM on April 23, 2009
Stardust Memories quote: "You want to do mankind a real service? Tell funnier jokes."
posted by zippy at 9:40 AM on April 23, 2009
Match Point or Vicky Christina Barcelona. Allen's older films have not aged well IMO. Those two will allow you to judge if you wish to persevere.
posted by fire&wings at 9:48 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by fire&wings at 9:48 AM on April 23, 2009
Early:
Sleeper, Love and Death
Early Middle:
Annie Hall
Manhattan
Zelig
The Purple Rose of Cairo
Middle Middle:
Hannah and Her Sisters
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Radio Days
New York Stories (Allen's "Oedipus Wrecks" 1/3rd of an Omnibus movie)
Late Middle
Husbands and Wives
Manhattan Murder Mystery
Everyone Says I Love You
Deconstructing Harry
Sweet and Lowdown
Anything Else
Recent
Match Point
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
posted by kid_dynamite at 10:00 AM on April 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
Sleeper, Love and Death
Early Middle:
Annie Hall
Manhattan
Zelig
The Purple Rose of Cairo
Middle Middle:
Hannah and Her Sisters
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Radio Days
New York Stories (Allen's "Oedipus Wrecks" 1/3rd of an Omnibus movie)
Late Middle
Husbands and Wives
Manhattan Murder Mystery
Everyone Says I Love You
Deconstructing Harry
Sweet and Lowdown
Anything Else
Recent
Match Point
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
posted by kid_dynamite at 10:00 AM on April 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
Take the Money and Run.
posted by Ironmouth at 10:12 AM on April 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Ironmouth at 10:12 AM on April 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Well, I for one like Allen's work, and I would watch these films, in this order:
What's Up Tiger Lily? First film directed by Allen. An overdub comedy about the search for the world's best egg salad recipe. May or may not have been an inspiration for Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex, But Were Afraid to Ask. I defend this movie. Sure, some of the sketches aren't as funny in execution as they were in concept, but the parodies of Antonioni, and of TV game shows ('What's My Perversion?') are incredibly accurate and absolutely hilarious. Best of all is the sci-fi parody 'What Happens During Ejaculation?" It's Allen at the peak of his "zany" period.
Sleeper. My personal favorite of his comedies is Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex, but I see why most folks consider Sleeper his best comedy.
Annie Hall. His best film, period. Represents his shift away from "zany" comedy, and a significant growth as a filmmaker.
Hannah and her Sisters. Some argue this is his best film, and they certainly have an extremely strong case here. Complex and hard to categorize (trago-comedy? comedy with tragic elements?), but a moving film.
Bullets Over Broadway. My favorite of the "Allen decides to get back to zany". Diane Wiest gives the performance of a lifetime and won a well-deserved Oscar for it; Chazz Palminteri steals every scene he is in.
Broadway Danny Rose. Woody Allen does Damon Runyan, and well. And you won't recognize Mia Farrow in this one--none of this waif-girl stuff, thank you very much; she's a brassy blonde and absolutely magnificient.
Crimes and Misdemeanors. Woody Allen does dark comedy. Or perhaps more accurately, a film noir with comedic elements introduced at shocking times. The suspense is less about what will happen to the characters, and more about what decisions will they make? How selfish are they? IMO, his second best film, on those days that I feel like disagreeing with the Hannah and Her Sisters advocates.
A lot of recommendations for Manhattan have been posted, but that movie just feels like one long inside joke to me. It's still a very good movie, but nowadays everytime I see Mariel Hemingway in it I think of Soon Yi Previn. I say you can give it a pass, until you decide whether or not you like Allen.
Interiors is Allen's first serious drama. Reportedly he watched it later and told a friend "It's always been my fear. I think I'm writing Long Day's Journey Into Night and it turns into Edge of Night." Give it a pass, unless you're a completist.
posted by magstheaxe at 10:16 AM on April 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
What's Up Tiger Lily? First film directed by Allen. An overdub comedy about the search for the world's best egg salad recipe. May or may not have been an inspiration for Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex, But Were Afraid to Ask. I defend this movie. Sure, some of the sketches aren't as funny in execution as they were in concept, but the parodies of Antonioni, and of TV game shows ('What's My Perversion?') are incredibly accurate and absolutely hilarious. Best of all is the sci-fi parody 'What Happens During Ejaculation?" It's Allen at the peak of his "zany" period.
Sleeper. My personal favorite of his comedies is Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex, but I see why most folks consider Sleeper his best comedy.
Annie Hall. His best film, period. Represents his shift away from "zany" comedy, and a significant growth as a filmmaker.
Hannah and her Sisters. Some argue this is his best film, and they certainly have an extremely strong case here. Complex and hard to categorize (trago-comedy? comedy with tragic elements?), but a moving film.
Bullets Over Broadway. My favorite of the "Allen decides to get back to zany". Diane Wiest gives the performance of a lifetime and won a well-deserved Oscar for it; Chazz Palminteri steals every scene he is in.
Broadway Danny Rose. Woody Allen does Damon Runyan, and well. And you won't recognize Mia Farrow in this one--none of this waif-girl stuff, thank you very much; she's a brassy blonde and absolutely magnificient.
Crimes and Misdemeanors. Woody Allen does dark comedy. Or perhaps more accurately, a film noir with comedic elements introduced at shocking times. The suspense is less about what will happen to the characters, and more about what decisions will they make? How selfish are they? IMO, his second best film, on those days that I feel like disagreeing with the Hannah and Her Sisters advocates.
A lot of recommendations for Manhattan have been posted, but that movie just feels like one long inside joke to me. It's still a very good movie, but nowadays everytime I see Mariel Hemingway in it I think of Soon Yi Previn. I say you can give it a pass, until you decide whether or not you like Allen.
Interiors is Allen's first serious drama. Reportedly he watched it later and told a friend "It's always been my fear. I think I'm writing Long Day's Journey Into Night and it turns into Edge of Night." Give it a pass, unless you're a completist.
posted by magstheaxe at 10:16 AM on April 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
It wasn't until I saw Annie Hall that I understood what people liked so much about Woody Allen.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:46 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:46 AM on April 23, 2009
If it isn't already clear, Annie Hall is the best place to start. But I'm really surprised that more people aren't mentioning Bullets over Broadway, which, to me, is in the top 5 best Allen movies (okay, at least top 5 comedies.) Watch this movie and the rest of Allen's films will open for you like an oyster. No, not an oyster. Like a magnificent vagina.*
* This is from Bullets over Broadway
posted by ColdChef at 10:57 AM on April 23, 2009
* This is from Bullets over Broadway
posted by ColdChef at 10:57 AM on April 23, 2009
For what it's worth my two favorites are Radio Days and Sweet and Lowdown, which barely feature Woody Allen, but I do like a lot of the films he's in.
posted by Kattullus at 11:00 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by Kattullus at 11:00 AM on April 23, 2009
I think Manhattan is a beautiful film as well, but I agree with magstheaxe in that it just feels a little too self-indulgent, even for Woody Allen.
Annie Hall is a wonderful film and really does define his entire serious style. He can veer from surreal hilarity to soul-crushingly depressing really damn quickly, and I think this is why the film still works, no matter how dated it looks. As characters, Annie and Alvy (and their relationship which is a character of its own) are the, er, realest people Allen has ever written.
Sleeper is his amazingly goofy take on Buster Keaton silent comedy (while not exactly being silent) and I still laugh like a loon no matter how many times I've seen it.
Sweet and Lowdown gets amazing performances out of Sean Penn and Samantha Morton (who doesn't say a single word of dialogue in the film) and I think it's a wonderfully bittersweet film.
Another film I'll throw out here, even though Allen did not direct it, is The Front. It's a story about the Hollywood blacklist in the 50s, and Allen plays a nebbishy cafeteria worker who becomes a living pseudonym for his blacklisted writer friend. Many actual blacklisted writers and actors worked on the film including Zero Mostel (in his last film role) and Walter Bernstein, who did write under a pseudonym during his exile though presumably without an actual human proxy.
It's not "quintessential Allen" and to be sure Woody plays his nebbishy role in an understated fashion and the ending is almost as heavy-handed as Chaplin's speech at the end of The Great Dictator, but it's an interesting period piece and one I try to recommend any chance I get.
posted by Spatch at 11:05 AM on April 23, 2009
Annie Hall is a wonderful film and really does define his entire serious style. He can veer from surreal hilarity to soul-crushingly depressing really damn quickly, and I think this is why the film still works, no matter how dated it looks. As characters, Annie and Alvy (and their relationship which is a character of its own) are the, er, realest people Allen has ever written.
Sleeper is his amazingly goofy take on Buster Keaton silent comedy (while not exactly being silent) and I still laugh like a loon no matter how many times I've seen it.
Sweet and Lowdown gets amazing performances out of Sean Penn and Samantha Morton (who doesn't say a single word of dialogue in the film) and I think it's a wonderfully bittersweet film.
Another film I'll throw out here, even though Allen did not direct it, is The Front. It's a story about the Hollywood blacklist in the 50s, and Allen plays a nebbishy cafeteria worker who becomes a living pseudonym for his blacklisted writer friend. Many actual blacklisted writers and actors worked on the film including Zero Mostel (in his last film role) and Walter Bernstein, who did write under a pseudonym during his exile though presumably without an actual human proxy.
It's not "quintessential Allen" and to be sure Woody plays his nebbishy role in an understated fashion and the ending is almost as heavy-handed as Chaplin's speech at the end of The Great Dictator, but it's an interesting period piece and one I try to recommend any chance I get.
posted by Spatch at 11:05 AM on April 23, 2009
Crimes & Misdemeanors is a fantastic film, possibly his best. A little heavier than some of his others (it's primarily a drama), but with plenty of great comedy mixed in.
Also Nth Manhattan, mostly for the same reasons.
posted by rottytooth at 11:21 AM on April 23, 2009
Also Nth Manhattan, mostly for the same reasons.
posted by rottytooth at 11:21 AM on April 23, 2009
Annie Hall was my first Woody Allen movie. After watching it, I thought, OH! I understand all Woody Allen references now!
posted by kidsleepy at 11:24 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by kidsleepy at 11:24 AM on April 23, 2009
Also check out Shadows and Fog and New York Stories, which I don't believe have been mentioned yet . . .
posted by eggman at 11:25 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by eggman at 11:25 AM on April 23, 2009
Wow, does everybody had A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy or what?
I'd recommend Bullets Over Broadway and Love & Death. Whenever I meet anyone for the first time and shake their hands, I always want to break into Jennifer Tilly's "Charmed! Charmed!" from BOB, but I'm afraid that nobody would get the reference and I'd just look like a weirdo.
posted by scarykarrey at 11:58 AM on April 23, 2009
I'd recommend Bullets Over Broadway and Love & Death. Whenever I meet anyone for the first time and shake their hands, I always want to break into Jennifer Tilly's "Charmed! Charmed!" from BOB, but I'm afraid that nobody would get the reference and I'd just look like a weirdo.
posted by scarykarrey at 11:58 AM on April 23, 2009
Hate, not had.
posted by scarykarrey at 11:58 AM on April 23, 2009
posted by scarykarrey at 11:58 AM on April 23, 2009
"Annie Hall" is so good.
If you saw HBO's "Grey Gardens" movie recently, you'll understand why Drew Barrymore's character's singing in Woody Allen's "Everyone Says I Love You" was overdubbed by a different actress.
posted by emelenjr at 12:11 PM on April 23, 2009
If you saw HBO's "Grey Gardens" movie recently, you'll understand why Drew Barrymore's character's singing in Woody Allen's "Everyone Says I Love You" was overdubbed by a different actress.
posted by emelenjr at 12:11 PM on April 23, 2009
My favorite Woody Allen movie (of the ones I've seen) is Take the Money and Run. so hilarious!
posted by radioamy at 12:43 PM on April 23, 2009
posted by radioamy at 12:43 PM on April 23, 2009
Best answer: Woody Allen now carries so much baggage - his insulated upper-class New York worldview, his analytical self-indulgence, his (in some people's views) old man creepiness - that it's essential to see his work when he was younger and it was lighter and freer. Watch the early funny ones. Sleeper, Love and Death, Bananas, Take the Money and Run. Then, if you're still interested, move on to the films in which he made his claim as an important filmmaker: Annie Hall, Manhattan, Hanna and Her Sisters. Then, if you're still interested, watch whatever you access to, the successes and the failures. A lot of people now want to dismiss Woody Allen, but you still have to give him credit for working on a scale that allows him to regularly put out the film he wants to make, to sometimes slip and then move right on to making the next one, even now into his seventies.
Oh, and I like Stardust Memories.
posted by TimTypeZed at 1:38 PM on April 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Oh, and I like Stardust Memories.
posted by TimTypeZed at 1:38 PM on April 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
From Manhattan: Why is life worth living? It's a very good question. Um... Well, There are certain things I guess that make it worthwhile. uh... Like what... okay... um... For me, uh... ooh... I would say... what, Groucho Marx, to name one thing... uh... um... and Wilie Mays... and um... the 2nd movement of the Jupiter Symphony... and um... Louis Armstrong, recording of Potato Head Blues... um... Swedish movies, naturally... Sentimental Education by Flaubert... uh... Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra... um... those incredible Apples and Pears by Cezanne... uh... the crabs at Sam Wo's... uh... Tracy's face...
I love that scene.
posted by theora55 at 5:17 PM on April 23, 2009
I love that scene.
posted by theora55 at 5:17 PM on April 23, 2009
oh my god....I introduce every significant person in my life to Love and Death. It's pure set-up/gag, vintage woody allen and just thinking about it leaves me giggling.
posted by Jezebella at 5:49 PM on April 23, 2009
posted by Jezebella at 5:49 PM on April 23, 2009
Annie Hall, of course. The scene where he meets his first wife is the classic one for me.
posted by lunasol at 12:10 AM on April 24, 2009
posted by lunasol at 12:10 AM on April 24, 2009
theora55: Great scene.... Another one of my favorite lines from Manhattan (from memory):
"One day we're gonna look like him. And he was probably one of the beautiful people -- he was probably dancing and laughing ... I want to make sure that when I thin out, I'm well thought of."
posted by Jaltcoh at 7:22 AM on April 24, 2009
"One day we're gonna look like him. And he was probably one of the beautiful people -- he was probably dancing and laughing ... I want to make sure that when I thin out, I'm well thought of."
posted by Jaltcoh at 7:22 AM on April 24, 2009
theora55: What always bugged me about that scene is he's supposed to be a parent -- and here he's thinking of what makes life worth living and doesn't once think of his son.
posted by rottytooth at 6:03 AM on May 7, 2009
posted by rottytooth at 6:03 AM on May 7, 2009
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