I think this was a brave move by Allen. The film has no music, is written around unsympathetic, self obsessed characters who don't talk like real people do (even intellectuals don't navel gaze like this) and the plot (such as it is) is stilted and almost non existent in places.
Yet I liked it. First off, it's nearer what Allen has described as the 'real' him. All the comedy stuff is just there to mask difficult, unresolvable issues that thinking people struggle over and then can't resolve. Watching this film will not give you any answers folks, but if you like films that will challenge you and are by definition a 'thinking' person, you will empathise with people who are unhappy with their lot, don't know what to do, feel they have missed out etc etc.
There's plenty of this here. People say it's gloomy, miserable, self indulgent. True, but surely that's what life's about most of the time isn't it? You want escapism, watch Vin Diesel in something. If you want a challenge, you could do worse than look here.
I have to single out Geraldine Page for the acting honours, up against stiff competition. Subtleties are what differentiates great acting from the merely good - the 'very strong cologne' sequence, and the bit where she's lying in bed watching a God show on TV, help get across the island like, repressed nature of this character. She simply cannot express feelings, yet the despair and loneliness are there for all to see. They must manifest themselves somehow, and do, with tragic consequences.
So folks, this is not a comedy. There are no laughs, though Maureen Stapleton is funny and adds a much needed fillip to proceedings mid way through. There's lots to carp about, but the pluses outweigh the minuses and I urge you to take a look.
Yet I liked it. First off, it's nearer what Allen has described as the 'real' him. All the comedy stuff is just there to mask difficult, unresolvable issues that thinking people struggle over and then can't resolve. Watching this film will not give you any answers folks, but if you like films that will challenge you and are by definition a 'thinking' person, you will empathise with people who are unhappy with their lot, don't know what to do, feel they have missed out etc etc.
There's plenty of this here. People say it's gloomy, miserable, self indulgent. True, but surely that's what life's about most of the time isn't it? You want escapism, watch Vin Diesel in something. If you want a challenge, you could do worse than look here.
I have to single out Geraldine Page for the acting honours, up against stiff competition. Subtleties are what differentiates great acting from the merely good - the 'very strong cologne' sequence, and the bit where she's lying in bed watching a God show on TV, help get across the island like, repressed nature of this character. She simply cannot express feelings, yet the despair and loneliness are there for all to see. They must manifest themselves somehow, and do, with tragic consequences.
So folks, this is not a comedy. There are no laughs, though Maureen Stapleton is funny and adds a much needed fillip to proceedings mid way through. There's lots to carp about, but the pluses outweigh the minuses and I urge you to take a look.