Customer Reviews

Woody Allen and Philosophy: You Mean My Whole Fallacy Is Wrong?

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Really heavy philosophical stuff. If you're an avid fan [like me] of Woody Allen and understand philosophy a little [like me] you will enjoy this book. I found out more than I thought I would ever know about Allen's films from reading this book. Thoroughly engrossing and fun to read.

How often has the reader combed a casual survey of actor Woody Allen longing for insights into the witty sayings and cutting remarks Allen is notable for? Wonder no longer. In Woody Allen And Philosophy, Mark Conrad and Aeon Skoble edit a fine philosophical approach to Allen's sayings and life, presenting articles which survey his pragmatic optimism, his sex comedys and spoofs, and his artistic films alike. Articles focus on Allen's philosophy and viewpoints and provide plenty of personal insights in the process of analyzing his works.

The first thing to know about this book is that it is but one in a series. "Woody Allen and Philosophy" is brought to you by the same folks who brought you "The Simpsons and Philosophy," "Seinfeld and Philosophy," and so on. I have not been impressed with this series. Generally, the pop culture topics chosen have no explicit philosophical inspiration. Philosophy must be read-in to otherwise superficial material. Some of these movies and sit-coms constitute good illustrative examples of philosophical topics (e.g. the tired observation that Seinfeld is a "deconstructive" comedy about nothing), but none of them was consciously embedded with philosophy.

Woody's work is different. The attempt to understand the intellectual references contained in Woody's early films is precisely what led me to study philosophy in the first place. They contain deeply philosophical themes and explicit philosophical references. Films like Annie Hall, Love and Death, and Bananas are absolutely packed with high-culture easter eggs waiting for a good interpreter. Sadly, the essays in this book miss pretty much all of them.

Of course, I admit I am the sort of snob who thinks that philosophy should not be the handmaiden to pop culture. I am embarrassed to see Schopenhauer wasted on Seinfeld.

The bottom line is that you will enjoy this book if you enjoy the series itself. Serious Woody Allen fans and philosophers alike will probably be disappointed.