What are Woody Allen's Favorite Woody Allen Movies?
The IM comes in from a few friends, and it's virtually the same in every case: "Woody Allen picked six favorites from his own list of films, and have you SEEN the choices?" I hadn't yet, but at the same time, my Google Reader had filled up with aggrieved headlines about it, and to take it from the reception, he chose unwisely! So I look at the six he picked, and guys? They're not that bad.
The picks came from an interview with the Times UK with the gloomy title quote, "At a certain age, you conclude that greatness is not in you." Still, after admitting, "There are a few better than others, half a dozen, but it's a surprising paucity of worthwhile celluloid," Allen was able to name his favorites: Purple Rose of Cairo, Match Point, Bullets Over Broadway, Zelig, Husbands and Wives, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
First of all, I love that he didn't include Annie Hall -- he's thinking like an Entertainment Weekly editor determined to maximize outraged buzz! Still, the six he chose are all solid, watchable picks, and I have a hunch Allen strongly conflated the experiences of making them with their ultimate quality -- after all, do you think he really breaks out his Woody Allen DVD box set half as often as you do?
All in all, it could have been a lot worse. Hell, from people's reactions, I thought Curse of the Jade Scorpion and Cassandra's Dream were going to be on here. Am I nuts?
Woody Allen: 'At a certain age you conclude that greatness is not in you' [The Times via Vulture]
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Comments
I don't see cause for uproar. I think 'Purple Rose' is his best, too.
But if I were making my Woody Allen Top 5, I'd have 'Mighty Aphrodite' on my list, so who am I to talk?
I'm a bit partial to his older films, as my great-uncle was the editor for many of them, including Annie Hall. I really liked Take the Money and Run, Play It Again, Sam and Sleeper, but I would also put Zelig, Hannah and Her Sisters, Broadway Danny Rose up among his best. But I definitely have a soft spot for Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask.)
You're not nuts. For one thing, 5 of those 6 would be one my list. And secondly, they're his fucking movies. He can pick whatever he wants.
Crimes & Misdemeanors should be on the list. But let's face it, even his not-so-great works surpass most movies. Could any other film-maker pick 6 of such quality?
I like Allen's movies but am not a rabid fan, but seeing all those titles up there--quite an impressive body of work. Most directors don't come close, it shows what happens when studios leave a good writers and directors the hell alone.
I had often heard he felt “The Purple Rose of Cairo” was one of his better efforts. Not a bad list at all. Of course, if I had my druthers his list might look something like this:
1) Manhattan
2) The Purple Rose of Cairo
3) Broadway Danny Rose
4) Crimes and Misdemeanors
5) Stardust Memories
I liked Melinda and Melinda, so what do I know?