Wild Man Blues (1997)

86% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(1,283 ratings)

Barbara Kopple directed this documentary portrait of Woody Allen, seen traveling with friends and fellow musicians during their New Orleans jazz band's 1996 European tour. Allen's relationship with Soon Yi Previn is captured on film here, and others on the European jaunt include bandleader Eddy… More Barbara Kopple directed this documentary portrait of Woody Allen, seen traveling with friends and fellow musicians during their New Orleans jazz band's 1996 European tour. Allen's relationship with Soon Yi Previn is captured on film here, and others on the European jaunt include bandleader Eddy Davis and Allen's sister Letty Aronson. Followed by press, paparazzi, and gushing admirers, Allen returns home to face a more realistic critical assessment during "the lunch from hell" with his aged parents. Documentary filmmaker Terry Zwigoff (Crumb) was the first director on this project, but he walked off after learning he would not have final cut. Zwigoff later commented, "They were like, 'Who do you think you are -- Orson Welles?'" Produced by long-time Allen friend Jean Doumanian. Shown at the 1997 Venice Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Barbara Kopple
Genres: Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Special Interest

In Theaters: Apr 17, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Nov 3, 1998
Studio: Fine Line Features

Critic Reviews

David Rooney, Variety
Kopple's discreet, quietly revelatory style creates a fine balance between public and private personae that veers more pointedly toward the personal in an incongruous but fascinating coda.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
It provides some generous insights into his psychic background when his unsupportive parents greet him back in New York at the end.
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
[Kopple's] made a greatly enjoyable film, but you can't help wondering if she's fallen under her subject's spell.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
[Kopple] might seem an unlikely choice for this material, but no doubt her track record gained Allen's trust.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Wild Man Blues has a tendency to become repetitious, especially during the final forty minutes.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
In her unexpectedly delightful documentary about Woody Allen as jazz musician, Barbara Kopple demonstrates cinema verite at its most seductive.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The subject is Woody Allen, but anyone interested in his career as a writer, stand-up comedian, actor or filmmaker will learn little from Barbara Kopple's new documentary.
, Film4
There's only one certain conclusion: Woody Allen finds it terrifically uncomfortable being Woody Allen.
, Time Out
It's hardly a revelation, but Allen emerges as genuinely neurotic. He's also funny.
Tom Meek, Film Threat
Not quite the type of political punchiness one would expect from Kopple, but it does answer a lot of questions about Allen who obviously had a strong hand in the film's compilation.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
Craftsmanship and wit are as present here as in [director Barbara Kopple's] more socially-minded, dramatic work.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Wonderful documentary, a rare look at the real Woody.
Larry Carroll, Countingdown.com
An interesting documentary covering a tour of Woody Allen's New Orleans Jazz band. If you enjoy the music, or are a fan of all things Woody, then you should give this one a rental. Others probably wouldn't enjoy it.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
This is a very fine film, especially for film buffs and fans of Woody Allen.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jennifer X

It's great to see Woody in his natural habitat - his neurotic tendencies, his anxiety, and most particularly, his love for Soon-Yi. She's a lot smarter and prettier and nicer and more talkative than I envisioned her. I totally get why this film was made, but it doesn't… More
It's great to see Woody in his natural habitat - his neurotic tendencies, his anxiety, and most particularly, his love for Soon-Yi. She's a lot smarter and prettier and nicer and more talkative than I envisioned her. I totally get why this film was made, but it doesn't seem like a PR stunt. It seems to genuinely want to answer some hidden question.

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