Play It Again, Sam

GOOD MOVIE AND GOOD PRODUCTION AND NICE TO SEE WOODY AND DIANE'S FIRST MOVIE TOGETHER!!!

`Play It Again, Sam', based on a stage play by Woody Alan is high among those movies one cites when you tick off the Woodman's `early, funny' movies. It should probably be noted that this is not a typical Allen movie in that he did not direct, although it is an excellent bridge, with the performances of Diane Keaton and Tony Roberts to his most famous movie, `Annie Hall' and others he did with Keaton around this time.Just before viewing the DVD of this movie, I watched `Meet the Fockers' and found this very recent film with its stellar cast, to be less funny and more contrived than the little classic `Play It Again, Sam'. Even hours of extras on the Fockers' DVD cannot make up for the almost total lack of rewatchability in the film.I have not watched `Play It Again, Sam' for some time, although I believe I have probably seen it at least three times before, yet I was still surprised at discovering new things about the movie. For starters, I found at least two pieces of business that I swear were copied directly into scenes of `Animal House'. Since `Animal House' is a great comedy that easily stands on its own merits, I don't begrudge the borrowing. Another observation I had with this movie was how much visual comedy there was going on. None of it was the kind of over the top long scenes done by W. C. Fields, but it definitely contributed a lot to the interest of the movie. A third new observation was the fact that `Play It Again, Sam' begins with a clip from the final scene of `Casablanca' and ends with the characters of `Play It Again, Sam' reenacting that same `Casablanca' scene. This fact stood out so strongly for me this time around since I just got finished seeing exactly the same device used in Allen's `Stardust Memories'. This is yet another case where `Stardust Memories' is quoting from Allen's other pictures. This really makes me wonder how many of Allen's films begin with a clip from some other movie.The best things about really great movies is that you can find problems with them without that activity's spoiling your appreciation of the movie. In fact, richly produced films simply add to your pleasure by offering an object of analysis and comparison with other movies. I feel absolutely no urge to analyze `Meet the Fockers' other than appreciate the performances of Hoffman and Streisand and wish DeNiro would go back to doing Marty Scorsese gangster movies.The name of this movie, `Play It Again, Sam', has probably contributed its share to the myth that this is a direct quote from `Casablanca'. As most know, Rick never actually says these four words together in the `Casablanca' script. This is only fitting, because the Bogart character dreamed up by the Allen character behaves like neither Humphrey Bogart nor Rick Blaine, his character in `Casablanca'. Allen's fictional Bogart is a construct of Allen's imagination, possibly based on Bogart in `The Maltese Falcon', but even Sam Spade would probably have more respect for women than the spectral trenchcoat with Bogart's name in `Play It Again, Sam'. My biggest question is whether this skewing of the Bogart persona was intentional and part of the interest of the film, or was he just molding things to fit his premise.While the movie is not pure Woody, it is a very important part of his body of work and an important early demonstration of how good he was with visual humor.Now all I have to do is figure out the reason for the business of the Allen character's sliding the two fried eggs from a plate back into a skillet. Seems to be connected in some way to his total inability to cook.

Woody and Diane Keaton showed fine chemistry in this retro-satirical flick.

There are few comedian/actors who command the intelligent and physical comedic talent of Woody Allen. His own written and directed movies are classics, however Play it Again Sam is something special specifically because he did not direct. The transitions are smooth. You don't get the feeling that the ensemble are free-wheeling any improv in this. Here the arcs, story, timing, and acting are compellingly sweet and accessible perhaps because Allen's ego, as undetectable as it might be in his own films, is minus the responsibility of direction. As such, Diane Keaton is at her innocent and lovely best with beats that have a completely different rhythm than her work in Allen's directorial efforts. The entire cast is exceptional, but Woody Allen channels his neurotic energies into a character that is everyman - more than any of his other films except maybe Deconstructing Henry which is his artistic pinnacle in my opinion due to its blatant personal honesty. Play it Again, Sam is just pure film lover joy. I can't wait to watch it again, but first, because Bogart plays such a pivotal role in the screenplay, I'm going to have to watch Casablanca for the fourth time in preparation. For Woody Allen lovers, although Allen wrote it, the dialog is not nearly as psychologically intelligent and deep as his own films, instead we are treated with something more accessible, entertaining, endearing, and relatable. It's kind of the perfect marriage and transition from his Bananas-type work and his more introspective films later on.

Who doesn't like this movie, really? It's a classic.

Price too high

One of the few Woody Allen movies, featuring Allen in the leading role, but not directed by the maestro of comedy. Without a doubt one of his finest efforts on the silver screen.The story revolves around Woody's character, being obsessed with Humphrey Bogart, constantly having conversations with the imaginary muse, who constantly advices him on how to tackle women after his wife, played by the always captivating Dianne Keaton, had left him, and finds him being set up on match making dates that leaves something to be desired and are totally wrong for him, dates fixed by his ex-wife's husband - who also happens to be his best friend, and, finding the opportunity to rekindle an affair with Dianne when her husband is out of town, he is faced with the dilemma of whether to pursue his romantic interest with his ex-wife and jeopardize his relationship with his best friend or to respect the marriage institution between Dianne and her husband. He decides on the latter.The movie is interspersed with scenes from Casablanca from which it draws inspiration.Surely one of the best early films by the maestro and a classic work du art.

If you are a Woody Allen’s fan, you’ll love this movie Specially if you like those early movies with Diane Keaton.

Conocida como Sueños de un Seductor, está peli es una buena muestra de la tremenda química que tenían Woody Allen y Diane Keaton.El DVD no se reproduce en cualquier aparato, pero lo más importante a destacar es q non cuenta con subtítulos en español.Aún así, buena compra

外装はそれなりかなと映画は内容なので懐かしく又こんな場面だったかと同時気付かないこともあり満足しました

Interesting early Woody Allen movie lacks the polish of his later films but quirky and good performances from the main actors :)

Tirée d'une pièce de Woody Allen dont il va écrire le scénario lui-même, ce film inracontable rend hommage au film Casablanca et redonne vie à Boggart.Dans ce film Woody Allen et son scénario s'amuse à rejouer l'intrigue de ce film prestigieux à sa manière et sans en faire un remake, loin de là.Signé par l'excellent réalisateur des futurs Footloose, The Goodbye Girl ou Undercover Blues : Herbet Ross.Réalisateur qui passait du drame à la comédie d'un film à l'autre avec un vrai talent.