EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU
A film review by Ben Hoffman
Copyright 1997 Ben Hoffman
I screamed all the way through Woody Allen's latest film, stopping only to catch my breath but maintaining a fixed grin. Only Allen could have pulled off so many outrageously funny scenes. No other writer would have thought of the scenes that Allen envisioned; no other director would have dared attempt those scenes if he had ever thought of them; and no other director could have made the scenes come off perfectly. Genius.
When Allen realized no one had made a musical in some ten years it immediately hit him that that is what he should be doing . . . except it would be an Allen musical than which there are nor ever have been anything similar. The songs used in the film, of the 1930s and 1940s era, are nostalgic but Allen does not rest on that; the songs have to further the story, not be inserted merely because they are melodic. When the engaged-to-be-married Holden and Skylar break up, (Edward Norton and Drew Barrymore), Holden sings "I'll Never fall In Love Again." This holds true for all the approximately 25 songs used. . . always either carrying the story along or describing the emotions of the singer.
Every scene is a belly laugh . . . even when tinged with a bit of nostalgia. Try these: The engagement ring, the funeral parlor, the Groucho homage, the hospital, Steffi (Goldie Hawn) and Joe (Woody Allen), ex-wife and her husband, doing a dance. Then there is Halloween, there is Charles Ferry (Tim Roth), an ex-convict who is invited to her home by the liberal Steffi. And Itzhak Perlman and Julia Roberts and Alan Alda . . . and on and on.
If a good story about dysfunctional families means anything; if great entertainment and feeling good mean anything; if brilliant writing and fast-paced direction mean anything for Oscar consideration, Woody Allen and Company deserve a clean sweep. Don't miss the cinema genius of our times as he works his magic.
Written and Directed by Woody Allen.
Rating: 4 BYTES
4 Bytes = Superb 3 Bytes = Too good to miss 2 Bytes = Average 1 Byte = Save your money
Ben Hoffman
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