Woody Allen Collection, The
The third Woody Allen Collection Box Set does not contain Allen's best and most revered material. It does, however, offer a balanced mixture of comedy and drama, classic Allen and experimental. There are no special features on any of the DVD's, but it should not be a major concern as the films are so good that they do not have to be compensated for with bland extras.
A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy is a lighthearted and comical approach to a weekend party in the country. Allen plays a somewhat failed inventor, Andrew Hobbs, costarred with common supporters Mia Farrow and Tony Roberts. Sex Comedy is loosely based upon Ingmar Bergman's revered Smiles of a Summer Night, but takes on a much more eccentric viewpoint. The film is also one of Allen's few which does not take place in Manhattan or the surrounding areas.
Woody Allen describes Zelig as one of the most complicated films that he has ever directed. It is a faux-documentary about Leonard Zilig, known as the human-chameleon because he changes physical characteristics based upon present surroundings. For example, around a group of Rabbis, Zelig grows a large beard and begins speaking Hebrew. The film does an excellent job of portraying the New York Jazz age in an extremely similar fashion of many actual documentaries about figures of that era, and weaves Zelig into the society as a believable historical novelty.
The Purple Rose of Cairo is loosely based around the Buster Keaton classic Sherlock Jr, and is one of the few films that Woody Allen does not star in. Coincidentally, Cairo loses a large amount of the dynamic charge and humor that most of his films represent. Cairo, though, is a sweet story about an unhappy waitress (Mia Farrow) who would rather spend her days in movie theaters than in real life, much like the childhood Allen himself. Soon, the star of an adventure film (Jeff Daniels) walks off of the screen and into her life. Chaos ensues as she is forced to choose between reality and fantasy.
Broadway Danny Rose is characteristic of some of Allen's earlier work, relying heavily on absurd comedy and inventive gags. Allen plays Danny Rose, an unsuccessful talent agent who gets mixed up in a mob chase after escorting one of his artist's girlfriends. The film features outstanding performances by Allen, Farrow and first time actor Nick Apollo Forte, who somewhat resembles Robert DeNiro in the latter nightclub portions of Raging Bull.
Radio Days is the only sub par film in this set. That is not to say it is bad. The highly nostalgic film that glories in the golden era of radio presents a beautiful picture of Brooklyn in the early 1940's, but, as with The Purple Rose of Cairo, the film loses much of its comedic presence due to the absence of Woody Allen.
Hannah and Her Sisters is probably Allen's most critically acclaimed film of the 80's. A complex story of an upper-class Manhattan family's trials, loves and troubles, Hannah is a beautiful story with an incredible cast. Mia Farrow, Woody Allen, Carrie Fisher and Barbara Hershey all exhibit outstanding performances, but it is Michael Caine as Hannah's (Farrow) lusting husband, Lee, who steals the entire film. [ MGM / Christopher Rose ]
Ratings:
Obscenities: 4
Nude Scenes: 0
Graphic Violence: 0
% Spiritual Relevancy: 47 (After all, Francis Schaeffer used to reference Allen's work...)
This DVD review wasn't printed in HM Magazine, and thus is an online exclusive.
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Comments
By Rick Williams
I'm not as familiar with this period of Allen's work (I'm more knowledgeable about his early and later films); however I would have to say that "Radio Days" ranks as one of my favorites.
Woody isn't on screen but he does the voice-over narration (about as close to a director's commentary as you'll get with one of his DVDs).
Seth Green (Scott Evil in "Austin Powers") is Allen as a small boy in this and the period detail (1930s vibe) is totally on the money here. Right up there with Bullets Over Broadway and Sweet And Lowdown.
By Zachary Ingle
I would argue that this set does contain some of Allen's best work. "Zelig" and "Hannah and her Sisters" are, in my opinion, his best work since "Manhattan." "The Purple Rose of Cairo" is another fantastic movie and should be viewed in light of its theological themes. "Radio Days" is also a gem that Ebert gives four stars.
