Woody Allen still has something of a loyal cult, even as it has become popular to bash him and label him as irrelevant. The turning point seems to have been in the early 1990s, when he left his relationship with Mia Farrow and hooked up with Farrow's adopted daughter Soon-yi. I suppose that, for many, he went from being a comfortable American icon to a creepy old man. But I say that Woody's private business is no concern of ours, and that his films are really what matter. And I think that many of his films since 1992 have shown great change, revealing many personal things about their maker; they have shown anger, turmoil, and eventually peace. It's hard to argue that many of them are as good as Allen's undisputed classics, but when I decided to draw up a list of my 11 favorites, it turned out to be a mix of films from all different decades. Here it is. Enjoy!
This one has been my top favorite ever since I had the chance to see it in a revival on the big screen. It's Allen's most purely gorgeous movie, the one most focused on cinematic compositions. Not to mention that Mariel Hemingway's darling, Oscar-nominated performance is perhaps the sweetest, most open-hearted portrayal in any Allen film.
2. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
When this movie unexpectedly showed up at my local, small town movie theater, it became a major turning point in my life as a film fan. I saw it three times and I knew I wanted more from my movies than what Top Gun was providing.
3. Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
By turns funny and dark, this one remains fascinatingly complex. I promise to write a full review sometime soon.
By turns funny and dark, this one remains fascinatingly complex. I promise to write a full review sometime soon.
4. Annie Hall (1977)
The one everyone loves. It even managed to snatch a handful of Oscars away from Star Wars; and Woody himself earned a Best Actor nomination!
5. Husbands and Wives (1992)
Overshadowed at the time, released just after the Soon-yi story broke, this masterpiece was only sporadically appreciated, but it has come to resonate as one of Allen's most emotionally mature works.
6. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
My pick for the best picture of 2008, this movie showed Allen reaching a kind of peaceful plateau after years of torment and anger. One of its themes is a kind of acceptance, but without losing a humorous appreciation, of life in general.
My pick for the best picture of 2008, this movie showed Allen reaching a kind of peaceful plateau after years of torment and anger. One of its themes is a kind of acceptance, but without losing a humorous appreciation, of life in general.
7. Match Point (2005)
This one rode a wave of amazed hype to emerge as Allen's most acclaimed film in over a decade. It's an icy, sexy crime picture with barely a hint of anything that came before it.
This one rode a wave of amazed hype to emerge as Allen's most acclaimed film in over a decade. It's an icy, sexy crime picture with barely a hint of anything that came before it.
8. Radio Days (1987)
I would have to confess that this is a minor Allen, but I love every frame of it, from its pure nostalgia, to its use of complex setups for simple jokes, to its heartbreaking little moments.
I would have to confess that this is a minor Allen, but I love every frame of it, from its pure nostalgia, to its use of complex setups for simple jokes, to its heartbreaking little moments.
9. Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
A gorgeous black-and-white movie that attempts to recapture some of the compositions and framing of Manhattan. It's funny and sad, and perhaps slightly obnoxious, but it has Farrow's liveliest performance in an Allen film.
10. Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
This is just one of Allen's funniest movies; it's a rich, luxurious screenplay, packed with great lines, which gave birth to four outstanding comedy performances, three of which earned Oscar nominations (Dianne Wiest won -- her second for an Allen film). Allen received a Best Director nomination as well.
11. Cassandra's Dream (2007)
Mostly hated upon its release, this one shows how fickle critics can be, and how susceptible to hype. This one is a crystalline crime film very similar to Match Point, but unfortunately, at the same time, it caused critics to compare it unfavorably to Match Point. (Something similar happened to Martin Scorsese with GoodFellas and Casino.) But it's perhaps even more emotionally engaging, with a fascinating portrait of two brothers in trouble.
12. Everyone Says I Love You (1996)
A controversial choice: it's a musical with people who can't really sing, but the joy is in the singing itself, rather than in the skill of singing (it's the opposite of something like "American Idol").
And, the runners-up: Bananas, Deconstructing Harry, Interiors, Love and Death, Melinda and Melinda, Midnight in Paris, Sleeper, Sweet and Lowdown, Zelig.
For the record, Allen has been nominated for Best Director six times, and Best Screenplay 14 times. He has won three Oscars. Actors in his films (including himself) have received a total of 16 nominations, and six have won (Dianne Wiest twice).
For the record, Allen has been nominated for Best Director six times, and Best Screenplay 14 times. He has won three Oscars. Actors in his films (including himself) have received a total of 16 nominations, and six have won (Dianne Wiest twice).
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