Random thoughts on Woody Allen

Perhaps these thoughts are not really random, for I have thought them for some time. I have been a fn of Woody Allen for some time, intitially because I identified with the nerdy character he most often portrays, and subsequently just because of his comedy and his talent at what I'd call, perhaps, introverted drama. Crimes and Misdemeanors was my favorite for years, contrasting a dark murder story with a comedic, failed romance story. The ending summation, that Woody's character was over-romanticizing reality, even while trying to be realistic, spoke truth to me. These days I tend to favor Stardust Memories, possibly just because it features aliens, but it seems to me to be one of his most consistent films, and the most rewarding of frequent viewing.

But alas, Woody Allen has faltered of late. One can't expect him to hit it out of the ballpark every time, and for years I was frustrated with people who saw the latest Woody Allen film and complained he had lost it. I'd tell them it was true it was a minor work from a great artist, but that he'd be back next year with a masterpiece. For a while, I was right.

So what is the problem? Sweet and Lowdown was his last truly gratifying picture, but for a few films before and since, his work has been sub par. He is writing the same characters and conversations into every script, and while the main plot thrust changes, it is not enough of a difference to make it as interesting as it could be. He has always had similar situations repeated from film to film, but has changed the situation or setting enough to give it a twist that kept the characters reactions novel. This does not seem to be the case anymore. Anything Else was extremely boring and miscast, but might have been a fine film had it been set.... anywhere else... been populated by actors who "got it," or been set in a different time period or whatever. In other words, his script wasn't that bad. Sloppily derivative of his own previous work, sure, but sometimes that has worked for him. It's just the same old same old with no gimmick or crazy situation to put the characters through, and only gets interesting when Woody's character turns out to be on the run from the law... the film is so lacking in memorableness that I don't remember what he is wanted for, but it was mildly amusing. Hollywood Ending started out incredibly dull, but got interesting once the gimmick set in, and had one of the funniest prat falls I've ever seen.

So where does that leave us? How can he make interesting movies again?

He needs to change the setting, or bring the gimmick in more quickly. That forces his stock characters to react to their surroundings and situations.

I have a few suggestions as to those surroundings and situations. He has done Science Fiction a little bit with Sleeper, but he could make an interesting space opera. He should rewrite Flash Gordon (changing the names to protect the innocent, and to protect his wallet from the copyright holders). Or something in that genre. He should also make a thriller. One of those dime a dozen films where Al Pacino or Harrison Ford are running down the street with a gun. He should also do a Rambo type action film. And he should try something along the lines of John Sayles, just setting his story in some different part of the country, or another time period.

Now I know what you may be thinking (of course, I always know what you may be thinking). Would it still be a Woody Allen film? Those don't sound like anything he has ever done! The answer is, of course they don't! For a time, he was doing something new all the time, and that is what made his films so good. He needs to stretch out a bit, and try some genre fiction, just to give his work a kickstart. He's too predictable right now. Did I mention zombie films? I think he'd do well with zombies.

Any other genre suggestions, or possible settings or time periods that would spice up his work?