Maybe he already gets enough credit for this, and I'm just not thinking all the way through on this one. But when I think of Woody Allen, I think of the funny-looking guy who makes funny movies. What I don't immediately think of is Woody Allen as one of the most innovative and experimental directors working in American cinema. For some reason, I forget about all the unconventional techniques in Zelig and The Purple Rose of Cairo. And Robin Williams being literally "out of focus" in Deconstructing Harry. And what American director has made more movies in black-and-white in the last thirty-five years?
Just got around to watching Broadway Danny Rose for the first time. How have I missed this one for all these years? I loved it. And I guess the consolation here is that occasionally I'll still discover an older film that excites, inspires, and reminds me of why I give so much of my time and energy to movies. BDR is another black-and-white Woody, with an incredibly well-realized, typically Woody Allen densely structured script. It also boasts my favorite Mia Farrow performance so far, and of course at least one excellent scene of experimentation. You have to see it. But we'll just call it the "helium scene".
3 hours ago
