"Broadway Danny Rose" is not a bad film--though I don't ever recall any of Woody's movies being "bad." I just felt it lacked something. Maybe it was the energy. Maybe it needed more focus. I laughed a fair deal of times, though I'm used to laughing a lot more during Woody's comedies. The performances are superb. Mia Farrow turns in a very impressive performance and so does Nick Forte. I guess the plot needed more zest. It's not a cliched story, but it's quite ordinary. It's an ordinary romantic comedy with its only twist being the gangster subplot. I'm not asking for anything spectacular; I just wanted more. Mind you I'm a good fan of Allen's work. In fact, I think this movie and "Deconstructing Harry" are his only films that I've had less-than-satisfying opinions about. Of course, I'm still a budding fan of Woody. I haven't checked out all his work, but I'm constantly more and more curious about the gifted writer/director with a sharp, extremely original sense of humor. So recently I've been checking out more and more of his movies--old and recent.
Judging by many excellent reviews I've read, maybe I'm wrong by calling this a minor work for the great director. But that's simply the effect it had on me. Then again, many people called "Small Time Crooks" a very minor work for Allen. I still thoroughly disagree, being that the movie made me laugh more than virtually every comedy I've ever seen! So I guess it's always a matter of opinion.
My score: 6 (out of 10)
Judging by many excellent reviews I've read, maybe I'm wrong by calling this a minor work for the great director. But that's simply the effect it had on me. Then again, many people called "Small Time Crooks" a very minor work for Allen. I still thoroughly disagree, being that the movie made me laugh more than virtually every comedy I've ever seen! So I guess it's always a matter of opinion.
My score: 6 (out of 10)