Woody Allen: A documentary Review

Woody Allen is a treasure of the cinema, after being around for over 40 years he’s managed to churn out a film almost every year, bringing us greats like Annie Hall, Manhattan, Match Point and Midnight in Paris.

This documentary by Robert Wiede (Hot to lose friends and alienate people,) brings us a shortened theatrical version of a two-part programme from the American masters series by PBS. Originally running over three hours (then shortened to two for the theatrical release) Wiede host of Allen’s associates, family and friends on Allen’s private life, if somewhat scarcely.  The film flows pretty well, spanning decades from Allen’s childhood in Brooklyn to the release of his highest grossing film to date, Midnight in Paris.

One aspect of the film touches on Allen’s excellent work ethic and we are shown his German Olympian typewriter, which Allen abuses heavily with touch-typing madness straight after a previous film is edited to his endless notes writtend down on yellow lined paper which is stuffed into a draw beside his bed. I expected a deeper look into Allen’s life but all we get is a montage of most if not all his films, touching on his relationship with step-daughter Soon Yi Previn, we are not told too much about their relationship its touched by a brief montage of tabloid front pages, but that seems to be it. While I must say the film is not a great success, we should really have seen a lot more and although there is a three-hour version, I cant help but think the filmmaker wasn’t as engaging as he should have been, but look forward to watching the full version.

Director:Robert Wiede 

Running time: 113 mins

Certificate: 15

Production Year: 2012