Back in ye olden times, before Woody Allen was the Hollywood workhorse putting out films of varying humour and varying quality every year, he was an inspired stand up comic beginning to encroach art forms, writing several plays, articles and films (including directing the bizarre editing experiment What's Up, Tiger Lily?). So, his own directing/actor career was beginning to pick up when he starred in an adaptation of his own play with future Annie Hall cast members Tony Roberts and Diane Keaton. Allen plays Allan, a film obsessed neurotic Jew obsessed with Humphrey Bogart living in - no, not New York - San Francisco. Yes, seeing a traditional Woody Allen comedy play out in a city away from the Big Apple takes getting use to, especially given that, beyond one sequence on the trams, it could really be set anywhere. Allan is going through a rough divorce and his friends, couple Dick (Roberts) and Linda (Keaton), try setting him up with girls to help. Allan's feelings of inadequacy (of course he has those, it's a Woody Allen character) manifest themselves in the form of a dating advice dispensing Humphrey Bogart (Jerry Lacy). The story documents Allan's terrible dates and his growing relationship with Linda, setting up a Casablanca aping finale.
Casablanca, on the other hand, needs no introduction.
Let me sum up how I feel about these films. I both feel they are pretty equal, however, Play It Again, Sam is always better than its reputations, and Casablanca is the opposite.
Casablanca seems to have hold some prime real estate in movie lists - Best Film, Best Quotes, Best Romance, Best Heroes and on and on. I think it's serviceable. I never buy into the romance of the plot, which is quite damning considering the film identifies itself as one of the best romances of all time. While the finale is fun, it never gets those tears rolling and the script, for all its memorable quotes, really is a bit hokey. The fact that Bogart himself came up with the 'here's looking at you, kid' line really shows given that it is repeated OH I DON'T KNOW, ABOUT THREE OR FOUR TIMES COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTEXT.
On the other hand, Play It Again, Sam is stunningly written. Incredibly inventive, witty and surprisingly emotional. I think what really stuns me is that it takes the finale from Casablanca word for word and actually gives it an emotional heart. Maybe it's just as a consequence as seeing Keaton and Allen as a seminal film romance in Annie Hall, but from the moment their romance is on the cards, the film adds a surprisingly effect emotional layer. When Rick gives up Ilsa, the only thing he seems to be giving up is someone to drink champagne with (as well as someone to direct his horribly overused lines too). Allan on the other hand seems to be giving up the one gal perfect to him. Ah well, they'll always have Manhattan.
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Other musings
I recently discovered Mystery Science Theatre 3000. It is currently my sound track at work. It's surprising how well it works as a completely audible experience. There's also a strangely melancholic tone to MST3K (especially its end theme) that really reminds me of Space Quest's Roger Wilco or Futurama's Philip J Fry. Obviously I really relate to being trapped in futuristic settings.
I'm watching Gremlins II: the New Batch as I type this. This ties in with being trapped in futuristic settings. It worries me that most offices are scarily similar to the Clamp Enterprises building. On a happier note, Haviland Morris is a fox and the film is still very funny.
Gremlins II is one of the many sequels that I am better acquainted with in comparison to the original (see also: Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, the Empire Strikes Back and Batman Returns). I had a sequel heavy childhood.
Although ignored from the above article, I have huge issues with Play It Again, Sam's direction. I would have loved to seen an in form 70s Woody Allen take it on. Oh well, maybe in another lifetime.
In non-film news...ummmmm....it was own clothes day in the office today. That's pretty remarkable right?
My Auntie and Uncle are getting married in a couple of weeks time. They've been together for at least 20 years. Bless them and their cotton socks. Do I need to buy a new suit for the occasion?
On the other hand, Play It Again, Sam is stunningly written. Incredibly inventive, witty and surprisingly emotional. I think what really stuns me is that it takes the finale from Casablanca word for word and actually gives it an emotional heart. Maybe it's just as a consequence as seeing Keaton and Allen as a seminal film romance in Annie Hall, but from the moment their romance is on the cards, the film adds a surprisingly effect emotional layer. When Rick gives up Ilsa, the only thing he seems to be giving up is someone to drink champagne with (as well as someone to direct his horribly overused lines too). Allan on the other hand seems to be giving up the one gal perfect to him. Ah well, they'll always have Manhattan.
-------------------------------------
Other musings
I recently discovered Mystery Science Theatre 3000. It is currently my sound track at work. It's surprising how well it works as a completely audible experience. There's also a strangely melancholic tone to MST3K (especially its end theme) that really reminds me of Space Quest's Roger Wilco or Futurama's Philip J Fry. Obviously I really relate to being trapped in futuristic settings.
I'm watching Gremlins II: the New Batch as I type this. This ties in with being trapped in futuristic settings. It worries me that most offices are scarily similar to the Clamp Enterprises building. On a happier note, Haviland Morris is a fox and the film is still very funny.
Gremlins II is one of the many sequels that I am better acquainted with in comparison to the original (see also: Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, the Empire Strikes Back and Batman Returns). I had a sequel heavy childhood.
Although ignored from the above article, I have huge issues with Play It Again, Sam's direction. I would have loved to seen an in form 70s Woody Allen take it on. Oh well, maybe in another lifetime.
In non-film news...ummmmm....it was own clothes day in the office today. That's pretty remarkable right?
My Auntie and Uncle are getting married in a couple of weeks time. They've been together for at least 20 years. Bless them and their cotton socks. Do I need to buy a new suit for the occasion?
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