EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU 1996
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1997 Timothy Voon
3 :-) :-) :-) for the joys of singing
Cast: Woody Allen, Natasha Lyonne, Julia Roberts, Goldie Hawn, Alan Alda, Edward Norton, Drew Barrymore, Tim Roth, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman, Gabby Hoffman Director: Woody Allen Screenplay: Woody Allen
Everybody gets to sing, everyone gets to dance, and of course everybody gets to say 'I love you' in this 'Woody Allen' musical. This movie feels like a spring day on the 4th of July; bursting into song in the toilet, shower or petrol station; with feelings of uninhibited spontaneity breaking the chains of shy reservation and self consciousness; allowing that something special from the inside to re-sparkle the glib world; or more simply put, it's like that incredible 'glow' of being pregnant before the morning sickness sets in.
Things of notes - Drew Barrymore's breasts. She doesn't like wearing bras, and Woody Allen has smartly worked this asset into one of the movies strengths. The effects of moonlight shining through that blue saffron evening gown, are like dark cherries on two Christmas Puddings. Yum! The Woody-Goldie/dance-fly sequence is a prime example of magical, onscreen tenderness shown between two mature, divorced adults - touching and amusing at the same time. However, I really wanted to see Woody swing Goldie so hard that she would fly into the French Riviera. Now that would have been a memorable scene.
As a very choosy Woody Allen fan, who carries an incredible 'hate/love' relationship with his work - I would say that I like this movie because it is witty, original and uplifting. 'Musicals' have unfortunately become a rare, and dying breed of cinematic motion, and I admire Allen's courageous attempt to revive the art with such droll satire. Dislikes - too much partner swapping, too many people talking at the same time; both of which are unfortunate Woody Allen trademarks.
Since everyone feels warm and fuzzy; and everybody loves everybody else let's smile, group hug, camera and FLASH!
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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