"Searching for someone in New York who is confident Woody Allen molested his daughter is like looking for a beard at the Western Wall. They hear a few grisly details, watch the HBO doc, take one look at Allen’s big nose and squinty eyes, and decide he’s 100% a pedo." oooooomph
Great piece, and I am long-time unashamed fan on Allen's work... but "Bullets Over Broadway" is not a clunker. It was a massive hit and got rave reviews and Oscar nods. I think it's a brilliant, zany, and very funny comedy.
A terrific essay and, I think, very fair. But very wrong about Bullets Over Broadway. That’s a good one. Not the greatest, but fun and smart, and any issues one might have with it feel like they have zero to do with his scandals.
I think we’re fond of Bullets Over Broadway because it stands so close to the bonfire years. Even now, you can sense it looking back at that golden run of dramatic and comic triumphs, offering a theatrical wave.
After Deconstructing Harry, every good review I tried to write died of provisos.
I used to be a huge Woody Allen fan, but I find that when I revisit his films, even his masterpieces like Annie Hall and Stardust Memories, he was always trying to justify himself in a way that feels squirmy and starts to fall flat pretty quick. I actually rewatched Deconstructing Harry very recently. For me it was difficult to see him there charming his way into everyone's hearts while portraying himself at his most self-absorbed and aggrandizing. It is interesting because he really gets a lot darker in that film, about his character and life in general, but I just can't go along with him anymore. Though I will admit that one of my favorite bits ever is in that film: the "dark secret." That part is undeniably funny and clever and notably does not include him in it. I just can't hear him speak or look at him anymore without feeling like he's so false. Perhaps this is because I am one of those people who 100% believe he is a pedophile.
I loved this review, even not agreeing with everything on it.
"What’s With Baum?" is pretty remarkable even if you just considering its prose craftsmanship. The whole novel is written in a single flow. Flashbacks, flashforwards, inner dialogs, conversations, and digressions are woven seamlessly without the need of chapters. That results in a book that it's hard to stop reading. Just that is a little miracle in our times of widespread brain rot.
I understand that is relevant to discuss the potential flaws of an artist (or even their crimes) when discussing their art. But on Allen's case, the discussion always reeks moral superiority bias. I don't see Baum's clumsy scene with the reporter as predatorial behavior or like an apology to machismo. The real shame is that the book won't reveal the aftermath of this storyline, creating a narrative tension just to dismiss it at the end.
So, yes, it's a delight that he’s still around indeed. "What’s With Baum?" is a little gem and proves it.
you have convinced me to watch deconstructing harry
"Searching for someone in New York who is confident Woody Allen molested his daughter is like looking for a beard at the Western Wall. They hear a few grisly details, watch the HBO doc, take one look at Allen’s big nose and squinty eyes, and decide he’s 100% a pedo." oooooomph
wait a sec, Woody saved someone with the Heimlich maneuver a couple years ago??
indeed its true
https://pagesix.com/2023/05/22/woody-allen-saves-pals-life-with-heimlich-maneuver-in-nyc/
this deserved more attention
Great piece, and I am long-time unashamed fan on Allen's work... but "Bullets Over Broadway" is not a clunker. It was a massive hit and got rave reviews and Oscar nods. I think it's a brilliant, zany, and very funny comedy.
do you really think it stands up as a GREAT woody allen film? C’mon…
For sure. Easily one of his most laugh-packed comedies. It's great.
Clearly Rinsky has done his research and his conclusions are not banal.
I always associated turgid with prose and torrid with affair, but maybe you are on to something with your usage here.
ha
Young woody had a nice head of hair
Loved this piece. Woody Allen has that place in our ecosystem, whether we like it of not.
Great overview. Which enjoys itself. Allen, at his best, is a complicated pleasure. Is there any other kind?
A terrific essay and, I think, very fair. But very wrong about Bullets Over Broadway. That’s a good one. Not the greatest, but fun and smart, and any issues one might have with it feel like they have zero to do with his scandals.
funny but not a masterpiece on the level of say...Stardust Memories
I think we’re fond of Bullets Over Broadway because it stands so close to the bonfire years. Even now, you can sense it looking back at that golden run of dramatic and comic triumphs, offering a theatrical wave.
After Deconstructing Harry, every good review I tried to write died of provisos.
Nice piece. And the comments are interesting, too. Allen ambivalence will be part of his legacy. "Crimes and Demeanors," would also work as a title.
I used to be a huge Woody Allen fan, but I find that when I revisit his films, even his masterpieces like Annie Hall and Stardust Memories, he was always trying to justify himself in a way that feels squirmy and starts to fall flat pretty quick. I actually rewatched Deconstructing Harry very recently. For me it was difficult to see him there charming his way into everyone's hearts while portraying himself at his most self-absorbed and aggrandizing. It is interesting because he really gets a lot darker in that film, about his character and life in general, but I just can't go along with him anymore. Though I will admit that one of my favorite bits ever is in that film: the "dark secret." That part is undeniably funny and clever and notably does not include him in it. I just can't hear him speak or look at him anymore without feeling like he's so false. Perhaps this is because I am one of those people who 100% believe he is a pedophile.
I loved this review, even not agreeing with everything on it.
"What’s With Baum?" is pretty remarkable even if you just considering its prose craftsmanship. The whole novel is written in a single flow. Flashbacks, flashforwards, inner dialogs, conversations, and digressions are woven seamlessly without the need of chapters. That results in a book that it's hard to stop reading. Just that is a little miracle in our times of widespread brain rot.
I understand that is relevant to discuss the potential flaws of an artist (or even their crimes) when discussing their art. But on Allen's case, the discussion always reeks moral superiority bias. I don't see Baum's clumsy scene with the reporter as predatorial behavior or like an apology to machismo. The real shame is that the book won't reveal the aftermath of this storyline, creating a narrative tension just to dismiss it at the end.
So, yes, it's a delight that he’s still around indeed. "What’s With Baum?" is a little gem and proves it.