In June, Woody Allen made a startling admission: I've squandered an opportunity that people would kill for. I have had complete artistic freedom. Other directors don't get that in their lifetimes. I have a very poor record given the opportunities I've had.
At first glance, this seems entirely daft. Allen is after all one of the most respected and creative American directors of not just his, but any generation.
Although while watching Allen's latest, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, much to my surprise (and disappointment) I began to think his self-assessment was not far off.
Set in London (Allen's new New York), the film follows a group of interconnected characters all unhappily in love. Sally (Naomi Watts) is frustrated with her struggling author of a husband Roy (Josh Brolin) and begins to develop a crush on her boss (Antonio Banderas). Roy, for his own part, has taken to peeping out his window at a beautiful young lass (Freida Pinto) living across the way.
Meanwhile, Sally's parents, Alfie (Anthony Hopkins) and Helena (Gemma Jones in a standout performance), have recently divorced after 40 years. He has shacked-up with a 20-something former prostitute-and-still-bimbo in an attempt to feel young again, while she has taken to going to a deceitful fortune teller in an attempt to cure her loneliness.
This doesn't sound like much of a comedy, but the film has its laugh-out-loud moments, though the plot is too patchwork to develop any of the characters. Tall Dark Stranger is typical Woody through and through - great actors who are all well-cast cast, snappy dialogue, neurotic characters and plenty of coincidences surrounding the timeless theme of love and the madness that comes with it.
And, also typical of Allen films of the last 15 years, it's nothing special - an underwhelming, directionless effort that is both unfunny and unfun, saved only by the cast and Allen's natural flair for dialogue. Allen can make movies like this in his sleep; and maybe he does.
Going back to the quote previously mentioned, Allen isn't the mediocre director that he made himself out to be. Artists seem to think they get some kind of credit when they denigrate themselves and their work, making them appear down to earth, humble and modest.
Except we know it's all just a bunch of bull. I'd be more willing to listen to Allen than most. His career, after all, has been built on pointing out his many deficiencies and inadequacies in a very public manner.
But that still doesn't mean I believe him. Even at 74, Woody is still perfectly capable of turning out another great film akin to his virtuoso string in the late '70s and '80s, maybe even a masterpiece like Annie Hall, if only he'd sit down and try. He seems to know that he's just treading water, but is unwilling and/or unable to do anything about it.
- Cameron Dunbar is a sophomore studying journalism. He's tall and dark so don't be a stranger, send him an e-mail at cd211209@ohiou.edu
3 Culture
Cameron Dunbar
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(PROVIDED)
REVIEW
MOVIE: You Will Meet a
Tall Dark Stranger
STARRING: Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins and Naomi Watts
RATED: R for some language
WHERE: Playing at the Athena
SUMMARY: In June, Woody Allen made a startling admission: I've squandered an opportunity that people would kill for. I have had complete artistic freedom. Other directors don't get that in their lifetime. I have a very poor record given the opportunities I've had.
Two out of four stars
