My Love For Woody Allen: Week 3
Posted by Marya E. Gates
So here we are, the last decade of Woody Allen’s directorial filmography (you can see my first three post here, here and here). I am going to be honest right away and say that I pretty much hate and/or dislike all of these films. Okay, maybe not all. There is one that I actually like and three that I thought were “okay,” but the rest I either dislike or downright hate. So my discussions of them are not going to be very long because frankly I don’t want to waste my time writing about them. Feel free to disagree all you want, but that’s just how I feel about it. Also, don’t forget about the Woody Allen Blogathon on Friday!
2001 – The Curse of the Jade Scorpion
This is my least favorite of all of Allen’s films. Nothing works. Well, Charlize Theron’s character is fun, but she only gets about ten minutes of screentime. This just fails on every point.
2002 – Hollywood Ending
This one had a few interesting parts, but mostly it’s just mediocre and tiresome.
2003 – Anything Else
This is his second worst picture for me. It’s a rehash and retread of so many things he’s done before, but this time with characters that are wholly unlikeable.
2005 – Melinda and Melinda
There is an interesting story in here somewhere, I just think maybe if Allen had polished this script a little more he could have found it. The result on screen fails miserably.
2005 – Match Point
This is a cheap imitation of Crimes and Misdemeanors, without any humor, and, again, wholly unlikeable characters. Regardless of my feelings towards this film, the Academy liked it. Or at least they liked his screenplay and Allen received his 14th (and most recent) Best Original Screenplay nomination for his work.
2006 – Scoop
I kind of liked this film and feel like if it had been made by a director-for-hire (and hadn’t starred Scarlett Johansson) I would have enjoyed it a bit more. But knowing that it came from the same person who made Annie Hall and Hannah and Her Sisters, it just feels below his talent.
2007 – Cassandra’s Dream
Oh how I hated this movie. And I was so psyched to see it, too. I love Allen (obviously) and I love Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell. Yet somehow this movie just does not work.
2008 – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
I like this movie for the most part (I dislike ScarJo and her character in this, though). Mostly I like Marie Elena and Juan Antonio. They are the most interesting characters Allen has created in this decade and maybe if the movie had been just their story I’d’ve loved this film. Penélope Cruz won a much deserved Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her performance in the film.
2009 – Whatever Works
I was all set to hate this movie (I am not the biggest Rachel Evan Wood fan), but somehow I found it endearing. Boris (played by Larry David) is a little trying at first, but eventually you come to understand him and his own charm is revealed.
2010 – You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
I’m still not 100% sure if I liked this film or if I just wanted so desperately to like this film that I convinced myself I did.
Posted on May 17, 2011, in Auteur of the Week and tagged Anything Else, Cassandra's Dream, Hollywood Ending, Match Point, Melinda and Melinda, Scarlett Johansson, Scoop, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Whatever Works, Woody Allen, You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
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