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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Written for the stage and coherently opened up for the screen by veteran director Herbert Ross, Play It Again, Sam is closer to a conventional comedy than Woody Allen's more self-contained films, but his smart script and archetypal hero-nebbish achieve a special charm aimed squarely at movie buffs. Allen is Allan Felix, a film critic on the rebound after his wife's desertion trying to brave the choppy waters of born-again bachelorhood and struggling to reconcile his celluloid obsessions with the hazards of real-world dating. His apartment is a shrine to Humphrey Bogart, and it's none other than Bogey himself who materializes at strategic moments to counsel Allan on romantic strategy. He gets more corporeal aid from his married friends, Linda (Diane Keaton) and Dick (Tony Roberts), who try to orchestrate prospective matches and reassure him when those chemistry experiments explode. When Allan finds himself falling in love with Linda, the dissonance between fantasy and reality proves both funny and poignant--a precursor to the deeper emotionalism missing from the star's earlier directorial efforts that was soon to inform Allen's most affecting '70s comedies. It's also the start of his onscreen relationship with Keaton, further underscoring Allen's evolution toward a more satisfying contemplation of the friction between head and heart. --Sam Sutherland
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By Mark Twain
Format:DVD
I saw this film at Cal State Northridge with Eric Lax as a special guest. He is the author of Woody Allen: A Biography, as well as bios on Humphrey Bogart and Paul Newman. David Kipen, book critic for the San Francisco Chronicle moderated the program.
In answer to an audience member's question during the Q&A session, Lax said that Woody Allen has never made a bad film. I agree with this comment because I've enjoyed most of Allen's films. The ones I haven't been too fond of have plenty of redeeming qualities in them anyway. Even the heavy-handed Interiors had a lot to recommend it, at least for true movie buffs. Play It Again Sam was one of the funniest and most underrated Woody Allen film I have ever seen.
Based on a play written by Woody Allen in 1968 and directed by Herbert Ross (who also directed film versions of Neil Simon plays back in the 70's), the film concerns a mild-mannered film critic named Allan Felix, played by Allen, who is dumped by his wife (Susan Anspach). What a gorgeous woman like her was doing with a guy like Allan Felix is beyond me, but for some reason, Allen (was Woody playing himself?) tends to pair himself up with a slew of gorgeous females in almost all his films.
Felix's apartment is a shrine to Humphrey Bogart and it is none other than Bogey himself who counsels him in the romance department since his ego is crushed. Felix's best friend Dick (Tony Roberts) and his wife Linda (Diane Keaton) also try to find a woman for him by setting him up on one disastrous date after another. When Felix finds himself falling for Linda, a series of hilarious complications take place as he is guided by Bogey on what to do. This results in a funny yet touching reworking of the Casablanca ending with Linda even donning the Ingrid Bergman hat and Felix giving her the "Maybe Not Today, Maybe Not Tomorrow" speech, after which he replies, "It's from Casablanca. I've been waiting my whole life to say that."
Play It Again Sam was the first screen pairing of Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, who would go on to star in over a handful of films together. All four lead actors, including Tony Roberts and Jerry Lacy, who does a perfect Bogart, were in the stage play together. It is interesting to note that, according to Lax, the actors knew which lines would get the most laughs because they performed the play on stage so often, that they slightly paused before continuing, so moviegoers wouldn't miss out on the next punchline.
This often overlooked film is, in my opinion, one of Woody Allen's most enjoyable comedies. The film has aged well, and the witty one-liners and comical situations are still hilarious. Perhaps the reason this film is hardly ever mentioned in lists of Woody Allen's best is because he didn't direct it, although it has the look and feel of an Allen directed film in every aspect. This was a sophisticated and worthwhile film that made me long for the days when comedies were actually funny.
In answer to an audience member's question during the Q&A session, Lax said that Woody Allen has never made a bad film. I agree with this comment because I've enjoyed most of Allen's films. The ones I haven't been too fond of have plenty of redeeming qualities in them anyway. Even the heavy-handed Interiors had a lot to recommend it, at least for true movie buffs. Play It Again Sam was one of the funniest and most underrated Woody Allen film I have ever seen.
Based on a play written by Woody Allen in 1968 and directed by Herbert Ross (who also directed film versions of Neil Simon plays back in the 70's), the film concerns a mild-mannered film critic named Allan Felix, played by Allen, who is dumped by his wife (Susan Anspach). What a gorgeous woman like her was doing with a guy like Allan Felix is beyond me, but for some reason, Allen (was Woody playing himself?) tends to pair himself up with a slew of gorgeous females in almost all his films.
Felix's apartment is a shrine to Humphrey Bogart and it is none other than Bogey himself who counsels him in the romance department since his ego is crushed. Felix's best friend Dick (Tony Roberts) and his wife Linda (Diane Keaton) also try to find a woman for him by setting him up on one disastrous date after another. When Felix finds himself falling for Linda, a series of hilarious complications take place as he is guided by Bogey on what to do. This results in a funny yet touching reworking of the Casablanca ending with Linda even donning the Ingrid Bergman hat and Felix giving her the "Maybe Not Today, Maybe Not Tomorrow" speech, after which he replies, "It's from Casablanca. I've been waiting my whole life to say that."
Play It Again Sam was the first screen pairing of Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, who would go on to star in over a handful of films together. All four lead actors, including Tony Roberts and Jerry Lacy, who does a perfect Bogart, were in the stage play together. It is interesting to note that, according to Lax, the actors knew which lines would get the most laughs because they performed the play on stage so often, that they slightly paused before continuing, so moviegoers wouldn't miss out on the next punchline.
This often overlooked film is, in my opinion, one of Woody Allen's most enjoyable comedies. The film has aged well, and the witty one-liners and comical situations are still hilarious. Perhaps the reason this film is hardly ever mentioned in lists of Woody Allen's best is because he didn't direct it, although it has the look and feel of an Allen directed film in every aspect. This was a sophisticated and worthwhile film that made me long for the days when comedies were actually funny.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is perhaps the funniest film of all time, bar none. I had recently become disenchanted with the comedies of today. I found myself watching whole movies, and never even smiling, let alone laughing. Than I happened upon this little known oddity at the video store. I took it home, and laughed in a way that I had never laughed before. It is wonderful to see Woody Allen and Diane Keaton looking so vibrant and full of life! The jokes come fast and furious, but they do not beg the viewer for a response, they just happen. That, in itself, makes it funnier than most comedies of today. Also, there is very little, if any, profanity in this movie. I've noticed that movies of today seem to rely too much on juvenile toilet humor and profanity to provide laughs. There is none of that here. To watch this is to have the senses rejuvinated, and to laugh so hard that your jaws ache. Basically, this is the movie that you can innocently recommend to anyone, and they will love you for it later. Make it a point to see this film!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Pete Delaney
Format:DVD
A comedy masterpiece with all of the traditional Woody elements:
slapstick gags, supernatural moments, neurotic career-woman heroine, oblivious husband, great locations, classic dialouge.
BUT - why did PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO not include the 1972 15 minute "Making of Play It Again Sam" featurette and the 1972 promotional radio show on the DVD?. Let's hope PHV will release a special 30th anniverasry edition with these items next year.
slapstick gags, supernatural moments, neurotic career-woman heroine, oblivious husband, great locations, classic dialouge.
BUT - why did PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO not include the 1972 15 minute "Making of Play It Again Sam" featurette and the 1972 promotional radio show on the DVD?. Let's hope PHV will release a special 30th anniverasry edition with these items next year.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
classic Woody Allen
If you are a fan of the early woody Allen movies, then you have to love this one....lots of familiar faces....classic bumbling woody....all the awkward love scenes.... Read more
Published 8 days ago by johnnyb
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of those must see movies.
A very fine representation of the talents of Woody Allen. It's amazing how he commands the screen with wit and under-stated presence. And Diane Keaton is a treasure to watch.
Published 9 days ago by Chester David Eller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet movie
I am a huge Woody Allen fan and have seen almost every movie he made (more than once). I believe that while not all his movies are equal in their quality, humor or sadness and... Read more
Published 11 days ago by Reenamovies
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely funny and well-paced
I forgot how witty 'Play It Again, Sam' really was. Though directed by Allen's friend, the pace of the film is astonishingly comfortable. In fact, it ages well for this reason. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Chris Thielen
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great setup
Picture a nebbishy Woody Allen channeling the cool, dangerous Humphery Bogart while trying to find a new love interest. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Becky B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Play it again and again and again!
Although Allen did NOT direct this film version of "Play it Again, Sam" it is an entirely faithful adaptation of his stage play, complete with the original cast members (... Read more
Published 24 days ago by McEwan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious
I cannot stand Woody Allen. However, he had me in stitches in this one. 5 Stars at the minimum. I'm really glad it popped up as a movie I may like. Read more
Published 24 days ago by D. Weaver
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Woody's Best
Classic Woody Allen. Unfortunatelly, Diane Keaton was her terrible self. The plot was very predictable and the acting was subpar. Overall, still a funny movie.
Published 25 days ago by May Peera-Ordonez
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bogart Was There
Always liked this endearing film. Woody & Diane click as usual. The dream sequences about Bogart & Casablanca make this movie as good as it is. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kandy Langford
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Woody Allen's funniest films.
very funny. nerdy film reviewer (Woody Allen) and Casablanca fanatic takes romantic advice from his imaginary Humphrey Bogart alter ego.
Published 1 month ago by Big W
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