Ryan McNeilWe recorded the next episode of The Matineecast last night, and for a moment the conversation drifted towards Woody Allen. The reigning Oscar winner for original screenplay has been (mostly) in the midst of a late career renaissance. By moving his stories away from New York, he has added some true gems to his filmography. I’m thinking specifically of MATCH POINT, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, and the award-winning MIDNIGHT IN PARIS.
It seems as though Mr. Allen isn’t done with the european tour, and has his sights set next on Italy. No matter what happens, this next offering is likely to go down as a step backwards…but look at the bright side: we’ll all go in with expectations firmly in check!
Let’s be on the safe side and say two steps back and then we may be pleasantly surprised.
It looks nice, but I’m still high on Midnight in Paris. I wish Jesse Eisenberg would have gotten a more central role since he has been ready for this part only his whole life.
I’m right with you on the two-steps-back approach. What I’m hoping for is something akin to YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER, which was flawed – but still rather enjoyable.
Man, I can’t wait for this. I’m a tad wary that this might be just an attempt at capitalizing on Midnight in Paris‘ massive success, but they seem different enough apart from European settings that I’m not going to buy into that concern much at all. Besides, the trailer looks solid, and if nothing else we should see this for the most perfect Allen surrogate of all time.
I dunno man, as far as Allen surrogates go it’s going to be very hard to top Owen Wilson. But I’m with you – for as long as Woody stays on this European tour he’s on, I will stay with him.
Hey, don’t get me wrong– Wilson’s the best so far. But Eisenberg just seems to embody the twitchy neuroses Allen is so known for. Either way, whether he’s better than Wilson or not, he seems like a great choice.
Allen’s most recent films largely have made me ache for Europe, even the ones I dislike. Which, honestly, is most of them, but at least he conveys that passion for Europe properly.
This looks like another YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER, and that’s being kind to be honest.
Allen is a man of quantity. He plays roulette when he’s at the helm nowadays. For every Midnight in Paris and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, you have 4 Whatever Works.
Out of curiosity, what was your take on CASSANDRA’S DREAM?
I will still take a mediocre Woody Allen film over everything else. Plus, how can I say no to a sexy Ellen Page and Penelope Cruz in a sultry red dress?
Much as a sultry Penelope Cruz is a draw, I must offer this as a counterpoint: Have you forgotten NINE?
Pretty much. I found that film to be boring despite Penelope’s sexiness and Marion Cotillard’s performance.
The cast is stellar, but I don’t expect too terribly much.
That’s probably a healthy approach to take – and it leaves the door open to be pleasantly surprised.
Exactly. It worked with Midnight in Paris and hopefully (fingers crossed) it will work here.