I am yet to have seen a Woody Allen movie that I don't like. This one was great. Full of dark comedy and excellent dialogue. At the start I was a little iffy about Jason Biggs playing the lead role but I got used to it. Christina Ricci was gorgeous and Woody was great as the crazed old advice giver. I definately recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed any of Allen's other work.
Anything Else is Allen at his worst. His young cast play vapid characters clearly formed in an old man's imagination. They are Allen-lite, wearing conservative, generic clothing, listening to middle-of-the-road jazz and with comfy middle aged lives and ideas.
In fact the only character who isn't vapid, rather individualised and interesting, is the character Allen himself plays, a paranoid old man obsessed with anti-semitism. I couldn't help but think Allen could have made a much more interesting film with his own character taking centre stage.
This marketing campaign is terrible. Look at that poster. Seriously, Flixster took the time to put it up so I want you to look at it. Jason Biggs is holding up a big heartshaped Christina Ricci. It looks like a romantic comedy that probably has a filthy moment that involves a byproduct of an animal. IT'S NOT THAT MOVIE...AT ALL!
This is really solid Woody Allen. This is the stuff Woody does best. Relationships between men and women without the sappy music and moments in the rain. Okay, there's a scene in the rain in this one, but the rain is much more realistic. Instead of making the couple more radiant, the couple gets pissed because they're getting rained on.
...like real life. That's pretty much why I like this movie so much. This is closer to real life (despite being somewhat of an absurd comedy) than most romantic comedies ever try to venture into. Christina Ricci plays her part as the selfish girlfriend perfectly. Yes, she's a little over the top, but not to the point of being unbelievable. She's just a selfish person. Her job, as an actress, was to convey that and she did a marvelous job. Now to Jason Biggs. I've never really been a fan. I've never gone so far as to despise him or regret seeing him in movies, but American Pie always left a bad taste in my mouth. (Luckily, I somewhat enjoyed Saving Silverman.) It's interesting to watch him in Anything Else because he's doing a Woody Allen impression the whole time. Some of it is intentional. Some of it is not. I'll say that much for him. I'll say this: While his performance isn't striking, it's never so off that I'm pulled out of the film. That will be my back-handed compliment for this review.
Now, to Woody Allen. This might be my last Woody for a while. This was the last in my Dreamworks collection and I can really hold off before I see Scoop. (Cassandra's Dream isn't playing anywhere around us.) It's interesting because I call this Woody Allen's Tuesdays With Morrie on a dark comedy twist. I love Woody as Goebel. To an extent, it's the character he's played in all of his movies, but the background to his character is very fun and very new for Allen. I'd love to see a movie just about Goebel, but I know that will never happen, despite the fact that Woody Allen makes a movie a year.
This movie is great, but wildly depressing. Don't be fooled by the marketing to this movie because you'll leave pissed...(or piss off your girlfriend.)
This movie wasn't that very good. The story was bleah and the actors didn't seem to put out performances at all. I didn't care what happened to any of these people halfway through.
Possibly the worst film Woody Allen has ever made. It wasn't much to do with the acting. Woody Allen's character was pretty interesting and it was enjoyable to watch. Jason Biggs did an alright job. Nothing special though. Christina Ricci wasn't that great. I love her other films so in relation to those it was pretty poor. The biggest let down would have to be the plot itself. Wasn't great at all. Not interesting and I thought it would get better as it went on but it didn't. I wouldn't recommend this film it wouldn't be a great loss for you not to see it.
Certainly won't make it into any "Woody Allen's Best" list, but a genius' less achieved film is still better than anything most filmmakers will ever do in their lives. Feels at times a bit wretched and condescending but still has some of Allen's touch and brilliant dialogues in it. Christina Ricci's character is a tad annoying, but I guess it was supposed to be. Jason Biggs is just... not a very good actor.
This wasn't very good. The story was bleah and the actors didn't seem to put out performances at all. I didn't care what happened to any of these people halfway through.
I always feel a little beaten up after watching an Allen flic -or maybe it's more that I want to give his depressed characters a slapping. Anyway... I enjoyed this. Just as I do most of his stuff and the characters are realistic enough for me to see where they are coming from even if the story falls off the rails a little at the end. Coming from NZ we don't suffer the anti semetic thing as much as it's obvious in this flic so I may be speaking out of turn when I comment about the story's loss of direction. It could be right on the money, like the last few words of the film.
Jason Biggs plays a Woody type neurotic character, Woody plays his mentor and Christina Ricci is the muse for all kinds. Insanely funny and cruel at the same time.
perfect allen protege. biggs gots the mumble and twitchiness down perfectly. so much fun to watch. this is hilarious. but woody allen, so NO SHIT its funny.
Not annie hall, but very comedic at many parts.
Jason biggs seemed somewhat awkward addressing the camera,and they explained an unfolding plot in which the audience already understood what was going on.
another great romantic comedy from Woody Allen, despite the fact it feels a lot like Annie Hall at a few points. this is my favorite Biggs performance. he delivers Allen's dialogue really well.
Jerry Falk (Jason Biggs) is an aspiring writer living in New York City who falls in love at first sight with Amanda (Christina Ricci) and dumps his girlfriend to get with her. Seeking advice, Jerry turns to the aging struggling artist (Woody Allen) who acts as his oracle -- and that includes trying to help sort out Jerry's romantic life.
Why Woody Allen tries to make a movie a year is beyond me. He should wait to have a good story to tell before going behing the camera. It would have saved us from this boring disaster!
MCT:August 10, 2008
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