Average Woody Allen is still better than 90% of what's playing theatrically at any given time, so once again we all made the trip to the theatre as we do each year to see "the new Woody Allen." After SMALL TIME CROOKS and CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION and HOLLYWOOD ENDING, all of which were successful attempts to cross over and break out of the "Woody Allen market" and into the general audience, Anything Else features two young leads--Jason Biggs and Christina
Ricci--performing in what's basically a re-write of elements from earlier Allen films such as Annie Hall and Manhattan. Despite the appeal of the young leads, I can't see this film appealing to a young audience. At 45, I was the youngest person in the theatre (except for my teenaged children). Like, say, a later film of Laurel and Hardy or a later film of Clark Gable, this is of interest because it's Woody Allen. It has its charms. The casting is great--beyond Biggs and Ricci, Stockard Channing is hilarious of Ricci's mother, and both Jimmy Fallon and Danny DeVito (neither of whom I usually like) are well-cast in supporting roles. There is a lot of well-written, literate dialogue. Allen's insights into human nature are occasionally insightful. Allen is actually playing a character that IS NOT COMPLETELY his usual persona. The photography is beautiful, as always. Watch for Woody to switch studios again. I don't expect this one to be in theatres long, so see it while you can.
Ricci--performing in what's basically a re-write of elements from earlier Allen films such as Annie Hall and Manhattan. Despite the appeal of the young leads, I can't see this film appealing to a young audience. At 45, I was the youngest person in the theatre (except for my teenaged children). Like, say, a later film of Laurel and Hardy or a later film of Clark Gable, this is of interest because it's Woody Allen. It has its charms. The casting is great--beyond Biggs and Ricci, Stockard Channing is hilarious of Ricci's mother, and both Jimmy Fallon and Danny DeVito (neither of whom I usually like) are well-cast in supporting roles. There is a lot of well-written, literate dialogue. Allen's insights into human nature are occasionally insightful. Allen is actually playing a character that IS NOT COMPLETELY his usual persona. The photography is beautiful, as always. Watch for Woody to switch studios again. I don't expect this one to be in theatres long, so see it while you can.