Friday, June 06, 2008
HUMOR IS PERISHABLE
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was Woody Allen's
This is an old time movie set in a dystopian future. The silent comedy conventions are kept (keystone cops, extra fast motion, a lot of slapstick) but the story is a Big Brother kind of thing.
Unfortunately, a lot of the humor is way dated. Topical humor is the most perishable of all.
In another decade half the jokes will be 'lost' to the ages.
It was a lot finnier to me when I saw it the first time 25 years ago.
The thing about Allen's comedy, even the wackiest, is the is undercurrent of anxiety that makes for nervous laughter.
Another complaint. Diane Keaton. In this, she is a shrill bitch and her entire demeanor is grating to the nth degree. I wanted her off stage every time she was on.
This kind of comedy is outside her range.
And remember, the old time movies were silent!
I liked seeing this movie again but I won't want to look at it another time.
I will give it a 3 out of Netflix5.
Labels: best films
