Woody Allen - Where should I start?

Semiazas

Semiazas

Question, where should start with watching Woody Allen films?
I know a lot are meant to be good, in theory going with something like Manhattan or Annie Hall is a good idea.
Which of his movies should get priority to watch? :)
 
Depends whether you're going to do a total retrospective or just his key works.

In either event it makes sense to start at the begin with the earlier, funnier films and then work your way to the the more serious, better films.
 
Wow that is a hard one to answer.

When someone says to me, "I don't like Woody Allen movies," I say to them, "You just haven't found the right one yet."

Woody Allen's films can be very different from one another. Sure there are some that all feel like the typical WA that we all are familiar with (Annie Hall, Manhattan, Anything Else, Whatever Works, etc.). Then you've got the ones that are screwball comedies. These are usually his earlier works (Bananas, Take the Money and Run, Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex*).

Then you've got his slightly darker more slow-paced faze. Still comedic, but, IMO, more dramedy (Hannah and Her Sisters, Deconstructing Harry, New York Stories).

And then there's some really hilarious ones that somehow don't fit into the above categories, yet of course have Woody's fingerprints all over them (Purple Rose of Cairo, Zelig, Broadway Danny Rose, Radio Days, Sweet and Lowdown).


So to answer your question, just dive in! It doesn't matter where you start, just make sure not to write off all his movies if you don't end up liking one. :D

Thanks.
 
Dreadylocks said:
Wow that is a hard one to answer.

When someone says to me, "I don't like Woody Allen movies," I say to them, "You just haven't found the right one yet."

Woody Allen's films can be very different from one another. Sure there are some that all feel like the typical WA that we all are familiar with (Annie Hall, Manhattan, Anything Else, Whatever Works, etc.). Then you've got the ones that are screwball comedies. These are usually his earlier works (Bananas, Take the Money and Run, Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex*).

Then you've got his slightly darker more slow-paced faze. Still comedic, but, IMO, more dramedy (Hannah and Her Sisters, Deconstructing Harry, New York Stories).

And then there's some really hilarious ones that somehow don't fit into the above categories, yet of course have Woody's fingerprints all over them (Purple Rose of Cairo, Zelig, Broadway Danny Rose, Radio Days, Sweet and Lowdown).


So to answer your question, just dive in! It doesn't matter where you start, just make sure not to write off all his movies if you don't end up liking one. :D

Thanks.
Click to expand...

And then the even later country hopping, mixed bag ventures like 'Vicky Christina Barcelona, Match Point, Scoop, Midnight in Paris (coming soon), You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger...'

I would go for one of the early funny ones to dip your toes into the water. Something like Sleeper, Bananas or Love and Death... then go to Annie Hall because it's his masterpiece and will make you want to see everything he's written...
 
I always like to start at the beginning and work your way chronologically through the filmography so you can observe the growth and development of the director.
 
I'm a huge Allen fan. My advice would be to start at the beginning.

However...

I would suggest three double features to get started:

"Love and Death" with "Crimes and Misdemeanors"
"Hannah and Her Sisters" with "Purple Rose of Cairo"
"Vicky Christina Barcelona" with "Manhattan"
 
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