Barbara Kopple directed this documentary portrait of Woody Allen, seen traveling with friends and fellow musicians during their New Orleans jazz band's 1996 European tour. Allen's relationship with Soon Yi Previn is captured on film here, and others on the European jaunt include bandleader Eddy Davis and Allen's sister Letty Aronson. Followed by press, paparazzi, and gushing admirers, Allen returns home to face a more realistic critical assessment during "the lunch from hell" with his aged
parents. Documentary filmmaker Terry Zwigoff (Crumb) was the first director on this project, but he walked off after learning he would not have final cut. Zwigoff later commented, "They were like, 'Who do you think you are -- Orson Welles?'" Produced by long-time Allen friend Jean Doumanian. Shown at the 1997 Venice Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
Kopple's discreet, quietly revelatory style creates a fine balance between public and private personae that veers more pointedly toward the personal in an incongruous but fascinating coda.
The subject is Woody Allen, but anyone interested in his career as a writer, stand-up comedian, actor or filmmaker will learn little from Barbara Kopple's new documentary.
Not quite the type of political punchiness one would expect from Kopple, but it does answer a lot of questions about Allen who obviously had a strong hand in the film's compilation.
An interesting documentary covering a tour of Woody Allen's New Orleans Jazz band. If you enjoy the music, or are a fan of all things Woody, then you should give this one a rental. Others probably wouldn't enjoy it.
It's great to see Woody in his natural habitat - his neurotic tendencies, his anxiety, and most particularly, his love for Soon-Yi. She's a lot smarter and prettier and nicer and more talkative than I envisioned her. I totally get why this film was made, but it doesn't seem like a PR stunt. It seems to genuinely want
to answer some hidden question.
Must be me. I am a Woody Allen fan and was bored to death with this documentary. Horrendously directed by Barbara Kopple, she has no organization on this, what a mess.
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